Original German WWII Beaded M40 Double Decal DRK Red Cross Steel Helmet – Q62 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and somewhat rare genuine steel construction M40 “Beaded” Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII DRK Red Cross issue. These helmets were essentially like the Military issue, however the steel was not as high quality. They were given a “bead” around the edge, to avoid mixing them up with the military version.

The exterior of this German helmet retains almost all of the dark gray paint, with some small chips and scratches. There are some areas of wear, as well as some light oxidation, but overall the paint is retained at least 90%. It dears Original Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross) on both sides, which are almost fully retained, with just some cracking and degradation due to age.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 1234, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, Q62. This indicates it was manufactured by Quist in Esslingen, Germany in size 62. 

Comes with a lovely leather liner, with the cork washers still intact and tight with all three split pins. The liner does have some wear and cracking, but is still supple, and is marked with size 56, as well as with the name R. Asch. The top securing strap is unfortunately missing. Attached to the liner is a complete chin strap with buckle, though the leather has deteriorated with flaking and cracking, and now is somewhat delicate.

Overall a great opportunity to get a very good example of a German WWII Civic issue M40 helmet, used by the Deutsches Rotes Kreuz. Ready to display!

History of the German Red Cross (DRK)

The DRK, “Deutsches Rotes Kreuz” (German Red Cross), a voluntary civil assistance organization originally instituted in 1864, was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention in 1929. In December 1937 it gained status as a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany, it came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior’s Social Welfare Organization.