First Pattern Double Decal Luftwaffe Helmet

Product Description: This First Pattern Double Decal Luftwaffe Helmet is a very appealing and likely field-worn example, with great character. The exterior of the shell has a factory applied coat of typical smooth prewar blue-gray paint, that is about 90 percent intact. The paint shows some scratches and areas of chipping from wear, and retains traces of a wartime applied layer of white wash camouflage in some areas. The Luftwaffe flying eagle and swastika decal is the desirable, first pattern “snake leg” type. This decal is over 90 percent intact, with honest wear and toning. The national colors decal on the other side shows a bit more wear, with some chipping. Inside, this helmet is complete with its nice early style liner, with unreinforced aluminum liner band. The liner leather is completely intact, with signs of wear and age toning, and retains the original drawstring. All of the original factory applied paint inside the shell remains present, with white winter camouflage traces at the edge of the rolled rim. The helmet is stamped with the lot number “2185” as well as “ET66” indicating manufacture by the firm of Eisen- und Hüttenwerke in Thale, in a desirable large size 66. This is a choice example of a scarce First Pattern Double Decal Luftwaffe Helmet, with an outstanding look, perfect for a combat display.

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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