M35 DD Heer Helmet – ET64 – Near Mint

Product Description: “Top shelf” is the only way to describe this one amazing M35 DD Heer Helmet. The helmet is a 1930 produced M35 double decal army; made during that period where the Wehrmacht was gearing up for the war. The shell is an ET64 for maker Eisenhüttenwerke and size 64. The smooth green texture paint rates 98%. The national color and Tri-color decals are nearly perfect. Both show moderate patina that gives this helmet a particular self-appeal with the “look” that all collectors are looking for. The acceptance stamp inside the dome is worn so that the date is faint but it is an example of the 1939 type which is slightly smaller than the ones used before of after. The alumnium liner frame displays a 1939 manufacture date but it is difficult to show it in the photos. The steel lot accountability number 4526 at the rear, places this helmet right in the middle of 1939 manufacture. The chinstrap is by all indications; original to the helmet, being a true match as far as use and condition. The strap has a 1939 date on the tip. The leather of the liner shows moderate use and a great honest looking “Bowl- Shape” as a result of having been worn on a soldiers head for just the right amount of time. I doubt you will find a cleaner, more honest , minty appearing M35 DD Heer Helmet!

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 edges. 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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