Luftwaffe M35 Double Decal Combat Helmet, ET68 (E)
Price: $2650
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: Helmet retains about 85% of its original smooth blue paint inside and out with original dome stamp visible! First pattern Luftwaffe eagle decal is a stunning 99% with the National tri color shield about 90%. All three liner retaining rivets and both ventilation bushings are all intact. The large M31 tan leather liner is fully intact with all fingers and original tie string. The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial/lot number stamped, “4163” and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and the size “ET68”, indicating manufacture by indicating manufacture by Eisen und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, size 64. A great early war untouched example that survived regulations & rework.
BACKGROUND:The German steel helmet began December 1915 when an acceptable pattern was developed and approved. 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. These helmets remained in use throughout the Weimar Reichswehr era and & into the early Third Reich and its new smaller, lighter M35 helmet. 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. The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear in August 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe early 1935 with the national tri color shield on helmets. The first pattern national eagle was worn until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936/1937. Regulations of June 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri color decal and further regulations of August 1943 abolished the national eagle decal on all helmets, although the directives were not completely adhered to as evidenced by period photographs..
