Original German WWII M38 Luftschutz Beaded Gladiator Air Defense Helmet with 57cm Liner – dated 1938 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen moderate service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains over 90% of the original dark blue paint, with overall light wear and some oxidation. There are some scuffs and a few small areas of missing paint, but nothing major. There is also minor paint loss is around the rim, which was most prone to contact with the ground. The interior paint just shows some flaking and oxidation in areas, and is in really good shape.

The helmet has all of the three original liner attachment splint pins, all showing light oxidation, and the cork spacers are no longer present. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is in very good condition, retained at about 95, and with just a bit of wear and parts of the decal flaked away.

The inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with RL 2 – 38 / 28. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1938, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1938 contract. Below is a original Luftschutz helmet information decal / paint stamp, which is more than 50% missing:

Vertrieb genehmigt
g[emäß § 8 Luftschutzgesetz]
Kopfweite: 5?

This originally would have indicated the distribution information: Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. Head Width 5?.

The liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWI style, with the three larger panels attached to a liner band, which we often see in Luftschutz helmets. The panels are attached to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. It is in good used condition, showing a lot of dry rot and cracking to the leather, especially the rear left panel. The original top tie is still present. The leather double buckled chinstrap is present but broken and in delicate condition.

Overall a very good German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great lightly used look. Ready to research 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.