Original German WWII 1938 dated “Droop-Tail” Luftwaffe M35 Former Double Decal Steel Helmet – Massive Size! Marked ET68 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare giant-size 68cm Luftwaffe M-35 Helmet, which is an incredible example of a Model 1935 German early WWII “double decal” helmet, complete with original liner! It has a very desirable early “Droop-Tail” Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a evidence of the “National Colors” decal on the right side having been removed. 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.

The Luftwaffe decal is probably around 80%, with some missing parts and more cracking and age. The paint is the correct smooth blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer’s blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured, and is well retained. All three liner retaining pins are intact, with traces of their original factory paint remaining. Just a great example of an early WWII period helmet!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 476, and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, ET68. This indicates that it was manufactured by Eisenhuttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Size 68 is a large size that can accommodate liners from 60cm to 61cm or US 7 ½ to 7 ⅝ . Size 68 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

The helmet still has its correct very good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple. Overall there is only moderate wear to the liner, mostly around the edge, though the leather has darkened in color. 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 64 n.A / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. It is faintly stamped 57 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

Overall a very nice 100% genuine “Droop Tail” double decal Luftwaffe helmet with nice decals a great look! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. 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.