Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Helmet with Size 56 Liner & Chinstrap – marked SE64 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example Model 1935 German WWII “double decal” helmet, with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a restored “National Colors” decal on the right side. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of the original Fliegerblau (Flyer Blue) paint and is in very good condition overall. It does show overall wear from cleaning and service, giving it a great look. The National Colors decal is quite vibrant, because it has been painted over to enhance the look. You can see some of the original decal underneath, which was partly missing or worn away. The Luftwaffe decal is probably around 90%, with light wear and a few areas chipped out. The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and in 1943 it was ordered that helmets with the national colors have them removed, so finding a helmet with both still intact is a real treat!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 4132, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, SE64. This indicates it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany in size 64. This 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, with most of their original paint still intact. The helmet still has its correct very good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, and overall the leather shows moderate wear, and a lovely aged color. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 64 n. A. 55, indicating that it is a size 58 liner for a size 66 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

B. & C.
BERLIN
1939

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow, a German company who later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War.

The chin strap is present, and is completely correct, with all aluminum hardware. It is maker marked and dated on the end with OTTO JÄHNKE / BERLIN / 1939. The leather is worn and somewhat stiff, so we definitely feel that it was used in service with this helmet.

Overall a very nice totally early war double decal Luftwaffe helmet with a great lightly worn look, ready to display!

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.

The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet.

The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and further regulations of August 28TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.