Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Steel Helmet with 1938 Dated 57cm Liner & Chinstrap - Stamped EF64

Original Item: Only One Available. Straight out of the attic! This is a very nice 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!

As best we can tell this came out of long storage, where it had laid untouched for decades. It does look to have suffered some paint loss and oxidation to the top of the crown during the war, and due to the conditions it was stored in, this progressed slowly over the decades. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains much of the original correct smooth semi-gloss blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) finish used on early helmets, which would later become textured, though only on the sides of the helmet. The top shows large areas of paint loss and subsequent oxidation. We do not know if something dripped on it, or just many hot / colt cycles caused condensation to form, and slowly oxidize the top.

Both decals show some lovely age, with the enamel top coat having yellowed to give both an almost amber color. The Luftwaffe eagle is retained at about 80%, showing overall checking, while the National Colors is a bit better, retained at over 90% without any real checking or chipping. Definitely a very interesting example with a lot of history!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 12884, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, 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.

All three liner split pins are still intact, however they have plated steel heads, so while the two front pins retain almost all of the finish, the rear pin suffered oxidation and has lost most of the paint. The interior of the helmet still has an original M31 leather present, with all eight "fingers" still present, held together at the tips by the original top tie. The leather is stained brown from use and age, and there is some missing material from the edges of one of the fingers, probably having torn off long ago. 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 / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. It is also maker marked and dated on the other side:

SCHUBERTH - WERK K.-G.
D.R.P.
1938
BRAUNSCHWEIG

The attached chinstrap is the correct early pattern with an aluminum buckle and attachment studs, however the leather is dark and shows wear from age and use. It still retains all thirteen adjustment holes, however it should definitely be handled with care as it is stiff in areas and could possibly crack or tear.

Overall a totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet, straight out of the attic after maturing for decades. 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.