Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Single Decal Overspray Helmet with Size 59 Liner – marked ET66 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example early Model 1935 German WWII “Single decal” helmet, with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side. This is an “overspray” helmet, which was field repainted, an then had the decal cleaned off.  It look like it may have even been repainted twice, so this is an early helmet that saw long service during the war.

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains a lot of the paint, with wear. There are areas of light rusting, and some chipping under the overcoat. It has a lovely texture and the look of a helmet that saw a war. One of the coats was definitely done with a brush, as the marks can still be seen.  The Luftwaffe decal is retained well, but does show much wear. It was applied to an early coat of paint that was a darker feldgrau color. All three liner retaining pins are intact, though they are missing most of their paint.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 4265, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, ET66 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Eisenhuttenwerk AG, Thale Harz, Germany in size 66. 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 present, though the top adjustment string is missing. The leather itself is still soft, but definitely does show age. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops, which is the earliest pattern of manufacture. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 66 n.A / 59, indicating that it is a size 59 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side of the band has fully visible maker information:

B. & C.
BERLIN
1938

The chin strap is present, and is in very good condition, with the expected age deterioration. It looks to be an arsenal replacement, as it is marked LOHMANNWERKE K-G / 1941 / BIELEFELD, which is definitely much newer than the liner.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine single decal Luftwaffe helmet with lots of history, 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.