Original German WWII Early M34 Civic Square Dip RLB Air Defense Steel Helmet with Liner and Broken Chinstrap Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice genuine steel construction M34 Civic “Square Dip” Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Reich Luftschutz Bund (RLB) Civil Air Defense use. It features the correct early war Apfelgrün (Apple Green) paint and an RLB Emblem decal on the front of the helmet. The RLB officially only were issued these helmets 1934 to 1938, when the M-38 “Gladiator” helmet came into use, and a new “Luftschutz” decal was designed.

The helmet still has most of the original paint, with some scuffing and scratches, giving it a lovely lightly service worn look. The decal is retained at about 90%, with some scratches and other wear. It has a lovely matured color to it, and is definitely one of the better examples we have seen. The four permanent hollow liner rivets are still present, and retain much of the original paint. The four cork pads are still present and intact.

The liner in this helmet is made from leather over a fiber band with felt padding, and the leather is still mostly complete, though the ends of the fingers have torn through on about half. The top tie string is still present, though worn, and there is a faint 56 stamped on one of the fingers. The chinstrap is present, however it has torn off right by the clip on the left side, and is in somewhat delicate condition.

Overall a very good early German WWII M34 Luftschutz helmet with a liner and broken chinstrap. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal “bead” between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the “Gladiator” style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal “bead” between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.