Original German WWII Beaded M40 Double Decal DRK Red Cross Steel Helmet – marked Q64 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 most of the dark charcoal gray paint, with some 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 well retained, with just some cracking and light flaking due to age and wear.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is maker marked Q64 (very faint) over serial number DN512, indicating that it was manufactured by Quist in the German city of Esslingen. Later in the war the maker code was moved to the back to speed production. Size 64 is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

Comes with a lovely “oilcloth” liner, with the cork washers still intact and tight with all three split pins. The liner does have some wear, but is still supple, with an intact top tie. Under the rear “finger” there is a maker mark, which looks to be a company in “Stuttgart”, or at least the oil cloth was made there. Attached to the liner is a complete chin strap with buckle, which is still supple, with no tearing or other issues.

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.