Original German WWII Named Double Decal NSDAP Civic Police M35 Steel Combat Helmet with 55cm Liner & Chinstrap - Size 62 Shell

Original Item: Only One Available. This fantastic double decal Police helmet is a great example of pre-war (circa 1939-1940) M35 helmet that continued to be used when WWII broke out a year or so later. Polizei helmets like this were used by civil police as well as by paramilitary police forces who were deployed as combatants during the war. It retains it's original lightly textured feldgrau gray green paint, and has the Double Decals of the NSDAP Civic Police!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains over 90% of its original paint, showing only light wear with some small scratches and chips. This color is unique to police helmets, and is not quite as green as pre-war Apfel-grün (apple green), but definitely not as dark as the wartime Panzergrau (armored gray). The helmet features genuine double decals of the NSDAP civic eagle on the left side and the swas on a red shield on the right. The Civic eagle is retained at around 75%, showing overall with some chips, while the shield is close to 95%. Both have a lovely yellowed color from the enamel top coat aging over the decades.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is faintly lot number stamped 4768 and the interior, left side, apron size and maker markings are unfortunately to faint to read. We measured the exterior of the shell, and it was 63cm, indicating a shell size of 62. This is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 7/8. Additionally there looks to be the name Paetz written under the rear skirt, a possibly avenue of future research.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, with exterior paint well retained, and most likely these were not painted to match the shell. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, which is in very good condition, showing moderate use. All 8 fingers are intact, with an original top tie string, and the leather is still supple, with just a bit of splitting and staining over the edge. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 62 n. A. / 55, indicating that it is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell, and there is a faint (55) size stamp on the leather as well. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1940
BRAUNSCHWEIG

This could very well be the original liner, as it was not often that such a small helmet was put into service. The chinstrap is intact and complete, with all thirteen size adjustment holes still present. The leather is still supple, showing light wear to the finish, and the galvanized steel studs and buckle are in very good shape. It does not have any visible markings.

Overall a great 100% genuine rare M35 Double Decal NSDAP Civic Police Combat helmet, correct in every way! M35 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. 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.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

More than 1 million M1935 helmets were manufactured in the first two years after its introduction, and millions more were produced until 1940 when the basic design and production methods were changed, replacing the multi-piece riveted vent with one stamped directly into the steel. Later, in 1942 the rolled steel rim was removed from the pattern to further expedite production.