Original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 Former Double Decal Camouflage Painted Helmet with Relic Liner – marked Q66 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original service worn example Model 1935 German WWII “former double decal” helmet, which was originally made with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a “National Colors” decal on the right. 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. Prior to this, the helmet was painted with a lovely brown and green camouflage color, which over time wore away in service. The “National Colors” decal was exposed, and removed as per orders. The Luftwaffe Eagle is still mostly under the paint, but small areas can be seen on the right.

The helmet definitely saw long service, and the Fliegerblau (Flyer’s Blue) paint on the interior definitely shows flaking and oxidation, particularly inside the dome. THe exteiror shows wear through the camouflage, and some of this goes down to the base metal, while others show the original blue paint. The helmet has a fantastic “well-used” look that is impossible to duplicate!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 3589, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer’s code and size, Q66. This indicates it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H in Esslingen, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 – 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

All three of the original liner split pins are present, however they have nickel alloy heads, which caused virtually all of the original paint to wear off, and later some of the camouflage overpaint as well. There is still a relic M31 liner on the interior, however it is just the inner and outer bands, with the felt padding, while the leather is completely missing. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 66 n.A / 59, indicating that it is a size 59 liner for a size 66 shell, and we cannot see any of the maker marking.

Overall a very nice totally correct “former double decal” Luftwaffe M35 helmet with a great camouflage paint job, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. Sure to appreciate in value over the years!

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.