M35 Heer SD Helmet
Price: $1195
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMHOLS -SS
Description: Helmet retains nearly all of its original, subdued, slightly rough textured, period M40-reissue finish. 75% of its Heer Eagle decal remains and has toned gold in color. All three original liner retaining pins & split washers remain as originally placed upon installation at the time of reissue of the wartime M40 type liner. The tan leather liner retains all eight fingers without issue. The interior, reverse neck flange is stamped, “DN23” and the interior left side flange with the manufacturer’s code & size stamp, “NS68”.indicating manufacture by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke, AG. Schwerte, size 68. A great overall condition M35 reissue helmet that no double saw significant action from 1939 on.
Background: The German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November 1915, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, in the spring of 1916. These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935. In an effort to reduce construction time and labor costs minor modifications were introduced in March 1940 resulting in the M40 helmet. Further construction modifications were undertaken in August 1942 resulting in the M42 helmet. Originally the Third Reich national tri-color helmet decal was introduced in March 1933 for wear on the left side of the helmet to replace the Reichswehr era state shield insignia. Regulations of Feb 1934 introduced the Wehrmacht eagle decal and the national tri-color decal was shifted to the right side of the helmet with the Wehrmacht eagle decal positioned on the left hand side. Regulations of March 1940 dictated that the national tri-color decal was to be removed from all helmets and further regulations of August 1943 abolished the Wehrmacht eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.
