Original German WWII M34 Square Dip Aluminum Fire Police Protection Helmet with Double Decals – Feuerwehr Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rear all aluminum construction M34 “Square Dip” Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Fire Police (Feuerwehr) issue. Almost all of these that we have seen have a steel shell, however this helmet has an aluminum shell, and looks to have at one point had an aluminum comb on top, which was then removed. The traces of this can still be seen in the paint as well as on the inside. It was repainted after removal, so it continued to be used in service.

The helmet features genuine double decals of of a NSDAP Party Shield on the right, and NSDAP Civic Police Eagle on the left. Comes with a complete leather liner with all 4 hollow attachment rivets still present. The liner leather is in good condition, showing the expected wear from age and use. It is marked faintly with size 56, and still has the original top tie, as well as the five leather tabs for attachment of a rear leather fire skirt. The crown pad is still intact, and so are all 4 of the cork pads around the liner band. The chin strap is in good condition, though it is a bit stiff.

The exterior of this German helmet retains almost all of the original black paint, with some small chips and scratches, which show the aluminum material. It does however appear to have been repainted while in service, after the comb was removed. The NSDAP Party Shield decal is about 75% complete, and the NSDAP Civic Police Eagle is just about 90%, with just a bit of deterioration. T he helmet bears a manufacturer stamp, which is stamped under the right side over the ear.

Vorschrfts[m.]
Leichtmeta[ll PD.]
n. M. d. [J.]

This would indicate that it was produced from an Aluminum foundry, possibly from recycled aluminum. Germany did not have large aluminum resources, so recycling it was very important. The top mounted aluminum comb is in very good condition, with just a few dents and scratches, and a bright finish. It still retains it’s highly attractive black leather underpadding/border.

Overall a great opportunity to get a truly excellent example of an All-Aluminum WWII Civic Police Fire helmet. Ready to display!

Prior to 1929 many fire-fighting units used leather helmets in various styles with most appearing similar to the leather spiked helmet (Pickelhaube) of World War I. These helmets bore a stamped metal crest on the front depicting the province or township to which the fire-fighting unit belonged.

In 1929 a light-weight plastic fiber (Vulkanfiber) helmet was prototyped for general use by all fire-fighting units. The first models were issued in 1932 and proved unworthy of further consideration. As a result a second prototype was explored using light-weight steel alloy known as “Edelstahl.” During this time leather fire-fighting helmets were slowly replaced with a combination of surplus World War I model steel helmets and privately manufactured versions in the “Austrian” pattern shell. These early helmets were generally painted black although some were left in their original field-gray World War I color.

In 1934 the light-weight steel alloy prototype helmet was approved for general use by all fire-fighting units. This helmet is designated the “M1934” by modern collectors because of the year of its introduction. Several different versions of the M1934 helmet exist with many variations resulting from subtle differences in the air vents or visors. The M1934 helmet was painted semi-gloss black inside and out with two insignia placed one on each side.

Fire Protection Police helmets were manufactured with and without an aluminum metal comb. In some cases the metal comb was also painted black. As a result of a large surplus, M1934 helmets without combs were issued in 1940 for general wear by all fire-fighting personnel. The helmets used typical civilian style liner systems and chinstraps. The liners were made so that they could accommodate a removable black leather neck shield.