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K004258 M35 DOUBLE DECAL HELMET. (Stahlhelm M35)
BACKGROUND: The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, 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 reduced 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 on March 14TH 1933 for wear on the left side of the helmet to replace the Reichsmarine era crossed anchor shield insignia. Regulations of February 17TH 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. Kriegsmarine regulations of July 17TH 1941 dictated that the national tri-color decal was to be removed from all helmets and further regulations of August 28TH 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.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains about 75% of its original, age yellowed, smooth, parade green paint with numerous small spots of wear to the base metal with light surface spotting. The left side of the helmet has a deep, golden yellow, Wehrmacht eagle shield decal which is retained about 95% with a couple of small scrapes and scuffs. The right side of the helmet has a black, white and red national tri-color decal which is retained about 80% with a few fair sized scrapes and scuffs. All three liner retaining rivets and both inserted ventilation bushings are all intact. The interior of the helmet has an M31 tan leather liner with all eight of its original fingers and the tie string intact. The liner shows light chafe wear to the edges and light to moderate age and usage toning with some moisture spotting. The liner is well marked with a faint, black, size inkstamp that appears to be, "57". Interestingly the helmet has had a circular piece of field-grey wool cut-out and placed in the interior crown. The interior, reverse, neck guard apron is serial number stamped, "4671", and the interior left side apron is stamped with the manufacturer’s code and size, "ET64", indicating manufacture by Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, size 64. The interior, reverse neck guard apron has a handwritten name penciled over and an additional handwritten name to the interior right side apron. The helmet comes complete with a shortened, blackened leather chinstrap with a pronged, natural alloy fit adjustment buckle and the retaining studs intact. The chinstrap shows light chafe wear and some minor surface cracking. The chinstrap has no visible manufacturer’s markings.
GRADE ***1/4 PRICE $3,190.00
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