Original German WWII Luftschutz Civil Air Defense Beaded M35 Helmet with 56cm Liner & Chinstrap - marked EF64

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an lovely service used condition example of a somewhat rare genuine steel construction M35 "Beaded" Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Luftschutz Civil Air Defense use. These helmets were essentially like the Military issue, however the steel was not as thick or as high quality. They were given a "bead" around the edge, to avoid mixing them up with the military version.

The exterior of this German helmet retains about 80% of the original dark blue paint, with overall wear, and no large dents we can feel or see. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is clean and close to 100% complete, showing light overall wear from service. There is some scuffing to the paint, but very little chipping, except around the bottom bead, where this is very common. There also is an area where it looks like something dripped on the exterior, causing the paint to deteriorate and the steel to rust. The three liner attachment split pins are all present, and retain almost all of the original paint, with the large cork spacer washers still in place.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped B, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size in Gothic style letters: E.F. 64, indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 64. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. We also noted that the outside rear skirt is stamped with J G over 3 0 6, possibly some type of unit marking.

The interior of the helmet has a very good condition civic issue 8 finger liner, which is marked clearly 56 on one of the fingers. The leather shows only light to moderate use, and still retains the top tie string, however it has torn through two of the fingers, which was then repaired with leather patches post war. There is also some wear and splitting over the edge of the liner. The original black leather chinstrap is in great shape, and still has an intact and functional buckle, though it definitely is a bit oxidized.

M35 Beaded Luftschutz helmets are the rarest of all the Luftschutz style and very hard to find. This is a great example, and sure to appreciate in value over the years.
Comes ready to display!

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organization's functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.