M34 Factory Telefunken Helmet

Product Description: This M34 Factory Telefunken Helmet is a very appealing example of a scarce and desirable helmet type. Helmets like this were worn by factory security personnel during the Third Reich, particularly during Allied bombing raids when they were tasked with extinguishing fires created by incendiary bombs. The shell on this helmet is a typical M34 civil style, with the normal “salt shaker” style ventilation holes. The exterior has a coat of original black paint which is neatly brush applied, and almost completely intact. Both sides feature decals with the famous logo of the German radio company “Telefunken”- a wartime supplier of vacuum tubes, transmitters, relay and radar systems for the Wehrmacht. The decals are about 95 percent intact and show normal age toning and patina. Inside, this M34 Factory Telefunken Helmet is complete with its original suspension system. The liner drawstring is still present, but four of the fingers of the liner leather have been torn at the tips. The name “Klaus Sydow” is written on one of the liner fingers, together with another illegible name and some crossed-out initials; this helmet was presumably used by multiple security personnel during the war. The padding in the dome is intact, and the original chin strap is complete, with no tears or damage. These factory helmets are not easy to find. This one is choice, from a famous company with an instantly recognizable logo. The condition is excellent.

Historical Description: The German steel helmet was introduced in WWI. After that war, most German paramilitary and civil uniformed organizations wore surplus WWI style helmets, sometimes repainted or with newly added organizational logos. With the Nazi rise to power in 1933, the size of the various German organizations was greatly increased, resulting in greater demand for helmets than could be filled with WWI surplus. As a result, a variety of new helmet types were created to fill this demand. Some of the new helmets were commercially available and could be individually purchased. Others were intended for issue by various organizations. Most of these helmets were copies of the WWI type helmets, including the SS-RZM helmet of the early 1930s. In 1934, a new helmet type was created for use by German police, fire protection crews, and other organizations. Known to collectors as the M34, it featured a liner with integral chinstrap, a lower profile than the WWI helmets, and “salt shaker” style air vents instead of the earlier “Frankenstein” lugs. Other helmets were produced that followed this same general pattern and were used by the Luftschutz and other organizations. In military organizations, all earlier patterns were generally replaced in 1935 by the new M35 helmet. But earlier versions continued to be used as parade helmets, and civil organizations used variations of these early helmets until 1945 and in some cases, even later.

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