Original German WWII SS Sicherheitsdienst SD Double Decal M34 Style Edelstahl Medium Weight Helmet with Liner and Chinstrap

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a rare early SS double decal helmet, as used by the Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers-SS ("Security Service of the Reichsführer-SS"), or SD, was the intelligence agency of the SS and NSDAP during the "third reich" period. It is a M34 type medium weight steel combat helmet, which was patterned after the "Civil" issue M34 "Square Dip" helmet introduced in 1934 to replace the fire helmets made from "vulcanfibre" composite. These utilized the new "Edelstahl" lightweight steel alloy, and the SS and other NSDAP paramilitary organizations, which had previously used repainted WWI Stahlhelm helmets, started using a medium weight helmet very similar to the Civic Issue. The main difference aside from the weight of the steel were the vents on the side: while the early M34 "Civic" issue had two domed "salt shaker" style perforated vents on each side, the Combat style had a single domed vent. In 1935 the M35 combat helmet design was introduced, and in general replaced all previous helmet versions in military service. In the SS however, particularly in the more secretive parts of the organization not directly involved in combat, the M34 Type continued to be used throughout the war.

This example fits the pattern perfectly, and retains the correct original Pre-War "Apfel-grün" (Apple Green) satin finish on the exterior, which may have been reapplied during the pre war period. It shows wear from service, as well as dents on the front and top, indicating it definitely saw long use during the NSDAP period. There is some rust present where the finish has chipped, and the interior is in similar condition, with a good amount of oxidation inside the dome above the liner. It is outfitted with the standard decals used on helmets early in the war, a single ᛋᛋ Doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) decal on the right side and an NSDAP party shield on the left. This was the symbol used by the SS throughout their existence, and many of the SS units also utilized the old Germanic Runic alphabets as a source of insignia. We noticed however that the SS decal was applied OVER an NSDAP shield, so originally the helmet had two shields.

We have examined the decals very carefully, and the runes decal definitely looks to be a correct "Pocher" type, which were specifically applied to this type of medium weight helmet. We do not know why it was applied over the NSDAP shield, however we can see some slight paint overlap at the very edge of both decals, so it would appear that the SS decal was applied when the shell was repainted during the pre war period. Please consult the Pocher and medium weight helmet decals on this page at the Helmet Vault: SS Decals.

The helmet is fitted with the standard M34 Civic leather liner with a fiber band, held in place with 4 hollow rivets, which are all still intact and retain the external paint well. All four retain their cork spacers, and the padding under the leather looks to be at least partly intact. The 8 finger civic leather liner is complete, however the leather is definitely degraded and stiff, with cracks between the fingers, and one partly detached. There is also no top securing strap present. The chinstrap is complete, but also shows degradation and surface cracking, so it should be handled with care. It is fastened to the liner on one side, and the other side attaches by an aluminum spring clip as seen on fire police helmets during the same era.

This is a great chance to pick up a lovely example of a rare variant German WWII SS Helmet, with a fantastic service used look. This is the first time we have ever had one of these SS Security Service helmets, and we do not expect to have another anytime soon.

The Sicherheitsdienst ("Security Service"), full title Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers-SS ("Security Service of the Reichsführer-SS"), or SD, was the intelligence agency of the SS and the NSDAP in WWII era Germany. Established in 1931, the SD was the first NSDAP intelligence organization and the Gestapo (formed in 1933) was considered its sister organization through the integration of SS members and operational procedures. The SD was administered as an independent SS office between 1933 and 1939. That year, the SD was transferred over to the Reich Security Main Office (Reichssicherheitshauptamt or RSHA), as one of its seven departments. Its first director, Reinhard Heydrich, intended for the SD to bring every single individual within the Third Reich's reach under "continuous supervision".

Following Germany's defeat in World War II, the tribunal at the Nuremberg trials officially declared that the SD was a criminal organization, along with the rest of Heydrich's RSHA (including the Gestapo) both individually and as branches of the SS in the collective. Heydrich was assassinated in 1942; his successor, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials, sentenced to death and hanged in 1946.