Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Steel Helmet with 1938 Dated 56cm Liner and Chinstrap - stamped NS64

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely honest service used all original example of a Model 1935 German WWII "Double Decal" helmet, with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a "National Colors" decal on the right. The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and in 1943 it was ordered that helmets with the national colors have them removed, so finding a helmet with both still intact is a real treat!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains much of the original correct smooth semi-gloss blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured. It is still well retained on the sides and skirt of the helmet, while the crown area is missing much of the paint, which has allowed the steel shell to oxidize. The interior of the shell has the paint in much better shape, showing only light wear. Both decals have been impacted by the wear and age, and now are retained at about 60%, showing a lovely toned color. This gives the helmet a fantastic aged look that is impossible to duplicate!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is lot number stamped D122 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size N.S.64, indicating that it was manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany. 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 checked on the inside of the dome, and we can actually still see ink stamps! These look to read:

St. u. W. Kp.

Fl. H. Kdtur.
L'feld

We assume these are the markings from original issue, and not some type of unit marking.

All three liner split pins are still intact, and retain a good deal of the original paint, which is an exact match for the exterior of the helmet. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, with all eight of the original "fingers" intact with the top securing tie. The leather has a lovely chestnut brown color from age and use, and it is still quite supple, with no tearing or other major damage. There is a bit of splitting over the edge, which is very common. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 64 n. A. / 56, indicating that it is a size 56 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

Max Densow
Berlin S.O. 39
1938

This liner was made by the rare firm of Max Densow, Berliner Kofferfabrik (Berlin suitcase factory), who only manufactured M-31 liners until 1938. The company adopted the reinforced aluminum sides during the last year of production, with a new maker mark that did not mention the name of the company. There is a lovely original early pattern chinstrap attached to the liner, which has the correct aluminum buckle and attachment studs. The leather shows some wear, but is still soft, and all thirteen adjustment holes are present on the longer side, so it has not been cut down.

Overall a 100% genuine complete double decal Luftwaffe helmet with a lovely service used, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time!

The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.

These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.

The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet.

The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and further regulations of August 28TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.