Original German WWII Green Painted “Battlefield Pickup” M38 Luftschutz Beaded Gladiator Air Defense Helmet Shell Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting “Battlefield Pickup” condition original M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet shell, which also has a very rare green paint job. These are quite rare compared to the standard dark blue color seen on most helmets. It looks like it originally was this dark blue, then repainted green, and the decal was applied over this. The exterior paint is retained about 60%, with the rest now surface rusted, indicative of long exposure to the elements. The top of the helmet is missing most of the paint, and the areas around the liner rivets are also missing paint. There are also some dents on the crown of the helmet, shown in the pictures.

In spite of this. the Luftschutz decal on the front of the helmet is still very well retained, probably 90% complete with overall wear, and some missing bits around the edges. The paint in this area is also more well retained, and it really looks like the helmet must have been resting upside down for a long time. The interior condition confirms this, as it is very rusted, and the original liner is completely missing, except for some degraded remnants around the rivets.

Even with the rust, we can still see that the inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with RL2 – 39 / 2. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1939, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1939 contract.

Overall a very interesting battlefield pickup German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet shell with a rare green paint job. 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 organization’s 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.