Original German WWII DAK Afrikakorps Net Camouflage M35 Helmet with 56cm Liner – Stamped SE64 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic all original service worn Model 1935 German WWII DAK Afrikakorps “Net” camouflage helmet. This helmet began life with the standard Feldgrau (Field Gray) color, but then was repainted dunkelgelb (Dark Yellow or desert tan) for use in the North African campaigns. At some point after this, it then had additional green added over the tan, and was covered with a net in areas, which gave it a lovely pattern in the camouflage, which would have increased the camouflage profile.

After that it looks to have seen long service, and the top of the helmet only has small areas where the original paint is still present. The sides and interior of the paint retained to a much larger degree. There is also a dent on the right skirt of the helmet, and some dents on top. This is a helmet that has really “BEEN THERE”, with an incredible patina.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 20774 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, SE64 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 64 is a nice medium 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.

All three liner retaining pins are intact and are mostly devoid of paint. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers, with ;wear from service and some light dry rot. The original top tie has been replaced with a shoelace. The early war aluminum liner band is marked on the left side with 64 n.A. 56, indicating a size 56cm liner for a 64cm shell. It is also maker marked and dated on the other side:-

B. & C.
BERLIN
1940

The liner band has the extra reinforcement on the side around the attachment loops, which is the style used shortly before the change to galvanized steel liner bands. The chinstrap is unfortunately completely missing.

Overall this is an incredible complete Deutsches Afrikorps “Net” Camouflage M35 Helmet! These are becoming harder and harder to find on the market. Sure to appreciate in value over the years!

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.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet’s shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet’s safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army’s Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.

The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.