BACKGROUND: Formed in late 1932 the Deutscher Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascension to power the Deutscher Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29^TH 1933 the Deutscher Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defence. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time, uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26^TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets. The French were the first to have a general issue helmet in WWI and developed the classic "Adrian" style helmet in early 1915. France retained the style of the M15 through-our world war two, but improved the manufacturing process by stamping the crown and front and rear visors from one piece of manganese steel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Reissued, classic, WWII version, light weight, stamped, single piece, alloy sheet metal construction, "Adrian" style helmet with extended, front and rear visors and a separate, rivetted on, alloy top comb. The helmet retains about 70% of its hand brushed, satin blue over-paint with spots of wear to the original underlying olive drab paint and the base metal with light to moderate surface spotting. The front center of the helmet has a Luftschutz emblem decal in place which is retained about 70% with a couple of fair sized areas worn away. The black detailed, silver decal features stylized spread wings with a central oak-leaf sprig and a canted swastika positioned below a scripted banner, "Luftschutz". The script is almost completely gone and the decal has darkened with age. The front center of the helmet has two, small, horizontal, cut-outs designed to apply a French branch of service cypher, which is absent. The helmet has a separate, embossed, alloy comb to the crown with all four, dome headed, retaining rivets intact. The extended visors are trimmed with a narrow, crimped, magnetic sheet metal band. The interior of the helmet has a chocolate brown, six finger, French leather liner with sheet metal tie string grommets to each and the original tie string intact. The reverse of the liner is well marked with a white size inkstamp, "57", and the leather still quite supple. The interior crown of the helmet is still in its original olive drab paint and has the black stenciled manufacturer’s name, date and location that appears to be, "Ducellieh 1938 Paris". The interior crown of the helmet also has eight punched ventilation holes positioned beneath the exterior comb. The reverse, interior apron has the white, hand painted initials, "W GuB". The helmet comes complete with a chocolate brown leather chinstrap with a sliding, sheet metal, length adjustment buckle. The chinstrap shows moderate chafe wear and the buckle shows moderate surface spotting.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $480.00