Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Helmet with Size 58 Liner – marked Q66 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example Model 1935 German WWII “double decal” helmet, with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a “National Colors” decal on the right side. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 60% of the original blue-gray Luftwaffe paint and is in good condition overall. There is some pitting on the visor and crown, so this is a helmet that saw significant use and exposure to the elements. The National Colors decal is retained at about 90%, with cracking from age and some wear. The Luftwaffe decal is probably around 80%, with age toning and some small scratches. All three liner retaining pins are intact, though they are missing most of their paint.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 4575 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, Q66 indicating that Quist in Esslingen, Germany manufactured it. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

The helmet still has its correct good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers intact. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, though it is worn and stained. The leather itself shows wear, but is still supple and in good condition. There are some faint markings written on the leather, which may be the name of the soldier it was issued to. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops, which is the earliest pattern of manufacture. The exterior of the liner band is marked 66 n.A / 58, indicating that it is a size 58 liner. The chin strap is unfortunately completely missing, but could be easily replaced.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet, ready to display!

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.