M35 Double Decal German Helmet – Heer

Product Description: This M35 Double Decal German Helmet is a great example of this scarce and extremely desirable helmet type. The exterior of this helmet shows evidence of what could possibly be a factory repaint/reissue as it has been painted with a brush over the original apple green with another apple green shade, with the decals having been carefully painted around. The paint shows traces of light use and wear, but is over 95 percent intact, with a typical, pleasant age patina. The gorgeous decals on this helmet are the typical early M35 quality, made by Pocher. Both are almost completely intact, with slight wear marks and toning. The inside of this helmet is outstanding, with the original, early type, unreinforced aluminum liner. The liner leather is complete and very well-preserved, with darkening from age and traces of wear from use. The draw string is intact, and the liner is size stamped “56.” The typical early square aluminum bales on the liner retain the original chin strap. The chin strap is the correct prewar style with aluminum buckle, and has been shortened. The inside skirt of the helmet has typical markings, with the lot number “3288” as well as “EF64” indicating manufacture by the firm of Emaillerwerk AG in Fulda, in size 64. The interior of the shell retains all of the original paint as well as a partially visible dome stamp. This is a top shelf, all original helmet with exceptional eye appeal. The condition of this choice M35 Double Decal German Helmet is excellent plus.

Historical Description: When the German Army first marched into war in 1914 it went to the front lines wearing the traditional “Picklehaube” helmets. The war soon developed to necessitate the need for an improved headgear to protect the wearer. The German Army developed the M16 helmet in 1915 and began issuing it in mass quantity to its fighting troops in 1916. The M16 underwent changes to bring about the next model, the M18. Both the M16 and M18 saw use by the German Army during WW1, as well as the interwar years by the Reichswehr and Freikorps. In 1931, a new liner system was developed. The M16 and M18 helmets were in mass supply right up to the time the Nazi Party took control of the German government. During Adolf Hitler’s rearming of the German military in the early 1930’s, the M16 and M18 helmets saw extensive refitting with the newer liner system, fresh paint, and the addition of a centralized decal system for the newly formed Wehrmacht’s respective branches. Decals were generally placed on each side of the helmet, one side being the branch and the other the national colors shield or party shield. In 1935, the M35 helmet was introduced. This new design was lighter and more streamlined than the older style helmets and is what the world now recognizes as the iconic helmet of the German Military. M35 helmets can most easily be identified from the separate rivet ventholes and rolled eadges. With the outbreak of war, some changes were made to bring in a new model, the M40. The changes made to this new model was the use of a more matte field grey finish and the vent holes were now integral to the helmets shell. In 1940, the national colors decals and party shields were ordered to be removed. It should be noted that many M35 helmets were brought up to date by repainting them with the matte field grey finish and/or other modifications if necessary. These refitted helmets are what collectors now term “reissue helmets”. The next model helmet to evolve was the M42. The model M42 has the same features of the M40 with the exception of the edges of the helmet not being rolled and remain flared. This was to speed up production and lower cost as the war dragged on and the German economy began changing to a total war economy. In 1943 all decals were ordered to be removed from combat helmets.

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