Original German WWII Heer M35 Double Decal Steel Helmet SE64 – USGI Bring Back Grouping Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind Set. Technician Grade 4 Jack W. Mackey ASN 3842845 of the 782nd Tank Battalion served in the European Theater of Operations during World War Two. Included with this very nice helmet is a small collection of original documents and photos, many of which were cello taped to white paper as they appear to have once been part of a research binder. One of the most interesting documents is a message that Jack notates as “this is the original message I took on the Battalion network where Eisenhower announced the Surrender of Germany…”

The message is dated May 5th, 1945 and reads:

GEN. EISENHOWER ANNOUNCED THAT THE NETHERLANDS, DENMARK, AND NORTH GERMANY HAS SURRENDERED UNCONDITIONALLY. IN WESTERN CZECHOSLOVAKIA SOME RESISTANCE STILL REMAINED AND ALSO A FEW ISOLATED POCKETS IN SO. GERMANY. 7TH ARMY TROOPS CAPTURED BACHESTASGADEN” (BERCHTESGADEN)

Also included is a map that shows his progress across the English channel and a “Train Wreck” which is dated January 17th, 1945. Research revealed that this was quite a nasty accident with multiple fatalities. The collection of items with the handwritten notes of each memory is quite compelling. A nice unit history year book can be found at this link.

Also included is an original example Model 1935 German WW2 double decal Army helmet with a crisp Heer Eagle decal on the left side, and a National Colors decal on the right. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains around 90% of the original Army green-grey paint and is in very good condition overall.

The Heer decal is retained at 85%, with one missing spot, but it is crisp and bright. The National Colors decal is retained at 75% remaining. All three liner retaining pins are intact, but most original paint has worn away.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped, 3837 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, SE62 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Germany in size 62.

The helmet still has its correct very good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers intact, it is ink stamped 55 for 55cm which is approximately a size 6 7/8 US. The liner still has its original leather size adjustment string. The liner band is aluminum, correct for a helmet of this vintage. The chinstrap is present, but it is severed in the middle.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine early war double decal Heer helmet, ready to display!

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.