Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Helmet with Size 57 Liner – 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 “National Colors” decal on the right side. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 60% of the original Feldgrau (Field Gray) paint and is in good condition overall. There is some pitting on the visor and crown, so this is a helmet that saw significant use and exposure to the elements. The National Colors decal is retained at about 50%, with with wear through and scratching as shown. The Luftwaffe decal is probably around 25%, and is mostly worn away, but definitely still partly there.. All three liner retaining pins are intact, though they are missing most of their paint.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 4433 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.

The helmet still has its correct good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present, some with the tips broken off. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, though it is worn and stained. The leather itself shows significant wear from the field, as well as deterioration from age.. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops, which is the earliest pattern of manufacture. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 64 n.A / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side of the band has fully visible maker information:

D.R.P.
SCHUBERTH-WERK
K.-G.
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1938

The chin strap is present, and in relatively good condition, though it is worn, and the end of the longer section is broken off. It also has a steel painted buckle, so it is most likely an arsenal replacement.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet, 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.