Original German WWII 1938 dated Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Steel Helmet with 59cm Liner – EF66 – Complete Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example Model 1935 German WW2 “double decal” helmet 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, so finding a helmet with both still intact is a real treat!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains over 80% of the original blue/grey lightly textured Luftwaffe paint on the exterior and is in very good condition overall. The paint on the interior has been retained nicely as well, and probably has around 70% remaining. The decals are retained at 70%+, with some damage from wear and scuff marks. Definitely a great example of this type of helmet.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 3800, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, E.F.66 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda 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 original liner retaining pins are intact and have some of the original matching paint on the ends. The interior of the helmet still has an original good M31 leather liner with all eight fingers still attached to the top securing string. The leather is quite soft, with some cracking around the rim, and only light wear with sweat stains. 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. 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. It is faintly stamped 59 in a circle on one of the fingers as well. It is also maker marked and dated on the other side:

D.R.P.
SCHUBERTH – WERK
K.-G.
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1938

The chin strap is present and in good condition, with the expected wear from age and use but does have a glued repair on the back. It is also relatively stiff, so care should be taken when handling.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine 1938 dated M35 double decal Luftwaffe helmet, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all, and it is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.

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.