Original German WWII Late Style M38 Luftschutz Gladiator Air Defense Helmet – dated 1939 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original late style M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which which looks to have seen light service during the war. These late pattern helmets have a very simplified construction, with a single piece shell and no “bead” around the edge. The paint is also applied much less carefully, showing some original drip marks, and it is not the high quality dark blue usually seen. The paint is very well retained, and the original decal on front is nearly 100% complete!

All four liner attachment split pins are also intact, with all of their original paint, and the cork spacers around the spit pins are present as well. Due to the paint job, the original shell stampings are quite faint, and we can only make out RL2 – 39 /. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1939, though it may be that it was made under a 1939 contract.

The liner is in very good condition, and looks to be made from canvas, possibly impregnated with some type of binding agent to make it more stiff. It still retains the original top tie string, but it may be a wartime replacement. The leather chin strap is still present, but torn off about 1 1/2 inches from the loop on the right side. It looks to be in delicate condition, with finish wear and some dry rot to the leather.

Overall a very nice late style German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a very nice decal. 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.