Original German WWII Luftschutz Civil Air Defense Beaded M40 Helmet with 56cm Liner – 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 Luftschutz Civil Air Defense use. These helmets were essentially like the Military issue, however the steel was not as thick or 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 about 80% of the original dark blue paint, with light overall wear, and some areas of paint loss and oxidation on the left side. The Luftschutz decal is clean and about 95% complete, with only a few small scuffs, though it has checking and splitting overall. This gives it a great aged look.

Comes with complete liner, which looks to be made from “prestoff” faux leather, though it could be white finished leather. The cork washers are still intact with all three split pins present, and retaining almost all of their paint. The liner is stiff and does have some wear, but all of the fingers are still intact, and have the original top tie threaded through the ends. The leather chinstrap is intact and fully functional, though the leather is somewhat delicate due to age.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 478 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, Q64 indicating that it was manufactured by Quist in the German city of Esslingen. 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.

M40 Beaded Luftschutz helmets are one of the rarer varieties of the Luftschutz style and hard to find. This is a very good example, and sure to appreciate in value over the years.

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 defence. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations 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.