Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great all original example of a Model 1935 German early WWII "single decal" helmet shell, battle damaged during the war and then captured by a USGI. It was then decorated by painting red and orange over the Luftwaffe "flying eagle" decal, and had the capture location and date marked on the right side in yellow:
SOUTHERN FRANCE
AUG. 15, 1944
At some point after this, the entire shell was then painted over with clear lacquer, which over time has matured to a lovely yellow color. We can easily see that under the lacquer is the original correct smooth blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured. This is retained at about 75%, with wear through on the crown, which now shows some oxidation. The lacquer has also worn off on the crown and other places, really giving it a distinctive look!
The rear skirt of the helmet shows damage consistent with shrapnel or small arms fire, which hit the rear skirt from above and punched a hole through the steel. removing a bit of it when it did. Close examination of the steel shows that the damage definitely occurred during the WWII period, before the lacquer coating was applied.
The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is lot number stamped 015 right by the "battle damage" and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size Q68, indicating that it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. in the German city of Esslingen. Size 68 is a rare extra large size that can accommodate liners from 60cm to 61cm or US 7 1/2 to 7 5/8. Size 68 shells are the hardest to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. All three liner retaining pins are intact, though they are the early non-magnetic nickel silver type, which has caused the paint to flake away for the most part. The original liner and chinstrap are completely missing.
Overall a very nice 100% genuine "battle damaged" single decal Luftwaffe helmet shell, captured in Southern France during 1944 and decorated by a USGI! 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.
