Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Former Double Decal Helmet with 59cm Liner & Replica Chinstrap – marked SE66 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original service worn example Model 1935 German WWII “former double decal” helmet, which was originally made with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a “National Colors” decal on the right.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, and that is exactly what happened on this helmet. It looks like it was scratched out in the field, removing all of the paint that was under it as well, so there is now an oxidized rectangular spot on the right side.

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet shows wear from long service, probably retaining about 75% of the original smooth blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer’s blue) paint job, and was not later repainted during the war. There are no major dents or other issues, and the areas without paint show a lovely lightly brown oxidized patina. The interior of the helmet shows more of the original paint, though there are some scratches, particularly under the front brim. The Luftwaffe decal lovely, retained at around 75%, showing overall wear and checking. The helmet has a fantastic “well-used” look that is impossible to duplicate!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 4286, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, SE66. This indicates it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 – 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

All three of the original liner split pins are present, however they have nickel alloy heads, which has caused virtually all of the original paint to wear off. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact and an intact top tie. The leather is still supple, but definitely shows that the helmet saw much service. It is stained overall, and shows a bit of wear on the top rim. 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, as aluminum was scarce. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 66 n.A / 59, indicating that it is a size 59 liner for a size 66 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

B. & C.
BERLIN
1939

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow, a German company who later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War. This is exactly the right period and type of liner for this very early helmet.

There is a chin strap attached to the liner, however it is definitely a post war replica, and is marked MS BUND / 74. It has the correct aluminum buckles and fittings, so it may be a high quality replica made in Czechoslovakia.

Overall a very nice totally correct “former double decal” Luftwaffe M35 helmet, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. Sure to appreciate in value over the years!

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.