Original German WWII M35 Helmet Shell with Field Made Carry Strap and Replica Liner – marked ET66 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original example early Model 1935 M35 German WWII helmet shell, which apparently has seen a very interesting history. Post war, it was for some reason painted bright yellow, definitely not a color that would work well in the field unless someone wanted to be seen. It has a field made style leather carry strap, which may incorporate some original WWII components. Inside the helmet is a recent production replica liner, which is in size 58, the correct size for this shell.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 1713, 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 does still have its original split pins, painted the same yellow color as the exterior. This paint looks to be the same era as the carry strap, and definitely was on the helmet for some time. The replica liner is definitely the most recent addition to this helmet, and definitely is decades younger than the carry strap.

A very nice and interesting example of the eventual fate of many German WWII Helmets. This would make a great display piece, or an excellent opportunity for refurbishing.

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.