Heer M35 Single Decal Helmet – NS64

 Product Description: A solid and visually striking example of a combat-worn German Heer M35 Single Decal Helmet – NS64, this piece is stamped NS64, indicating manufacture by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke in Schwerte, with rear lot number D235, dating it to early wartime production. The helmet retains much of its original factory-applied smooth-textured Dunkelgrün (dark field gray) combat paint, which shows consistent wear across the crown and edges—classic high-contact areas—resulting in a well-toned, uncleaned field-worn patina highly prized by collectors. The Heer decal on the left side has been replaced by a second decal during the period, leaving both decals visible between the wear.   Decals show signs of natural aging and partial surface loss, yet the iconic eagle and swastika insignia remain prominently visible, maintaining the helmet’s authenticity and presence.

Internally, the original liner is intact and firmly seated, exhibiting age-appropriate dryness and some darkening to the leather, though it remains supple with no flaking or tearing. The untouched steel liner band is secure and free from signs of postwar modification. The original drawstring is present, while the chinstrap is missing. A name has been handwritten both on the leather liner and discreetly along the rear interior skirt of the helmet—an evocative personal detail linking this piece to its wartime past. With strong structural integrity and all period components intact, this M35 Single Decal Heer Helmet represents a textbook example of mid-war German field gear, combining authenticity, honest wear, and compelling character. A fine addition for the discerning collector of WWII militaria.

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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