BACKGROUND: As a result of observations of the Russian experimentation with the newly developing paratroop personnel in 1928 the Germans began serious consideration of also developing paratroop units and plans were drawn up for formation of such units in late 1935. Both the Luftwaffe and Army eventually established paratrooper units, consisting of voluntary personnel, on January 29^TH 1936 and March 31^ST 1937 respectively and a paratroop training school was established at Stendal in early 1937. Originally development of special clothing and equipment was undertaken by both branches of service to provide the paratroopers with functional items specifically designed with parachute jumps in mind until January 1^ST 1939 when all the paratrooper units were transferred to control of the Luftwaffe. One of the items developed for the paratroopers was a specially designed helmet first introduced in 1935. This first pattern helmet was found unsuitable and a second pattern was introduced on June 16^TH 1938, and remained in use until the end of the war with minor variations. The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18^TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1^ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet. The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12^TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and dictated that the national eagle was to be in a subdued blue/grey coloration. The June 12^TH 1940 regulations also altered the original field-grey paint to a rough textured, blue/grey paint for front line personnel. Further regulations of August 28^TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, (Circa 1938-1945), stamped sheet steel construction, paratrooper helmet retains about 85% of its original, slightly rough textured, age and usage darkened, field-grey paint with a few small scrapes and scuffs revealing the base steel with light to moderate surface spotting. The helmet also has some faint, pale off-white moisture type spotting. The left side of the helmet has a second pattern, (circa 1936/1937-1945), black detailed, off-white, Luftwaffe eagle decal with out-stretched wings, clutching a canted, swastika in it’s talons. The decal is retained about 85% with a couple of small scrapes and scuffs. All four of the later, solid, slotted, natural aluminum liner retention bolts are intact. The interior of the helmet has a light tan, M38 leather liner, which is fully intact with a central stitched seam, twelve, circular, ventilation holes and black rubber padding to the aluminum helmet band and the interior crown. The liner is in overall good, condition with light to moderate chafe wear to the edges and light age and usage toning. The liner also has a couple of small, stiffened, dark spots that appear to be heat induced but the balance is still quite soft and supple. The liner is well marked with black inkstamped sizing, "Kopfweite Gr. 56 Stahlhelm Gr. 68" (Head size 57, {referring to the liner} Shell size 68). The lining also has a black inkstamped RB number, "0/0250/0201" indicating manufacture by Karl Heisler of Berlin. The reverse, interior, apron is well marked with a stamped serial number, "452" and the left, interior, side apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, "ET 68", indicating manufacture by Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG of Thale/Harz, size 68. The helmet comes complete with an age and usage darkened, blue/grey leather construction, dual "Y" pattern chin harness with a natural chamois leather reverse. The left side of the chin harness has a mid-war, magnetic sheet metal, gripper buckle with a small leather pull tab. The right side of the chin harness has a transverse piece of leather stitched to the end creating a "T", so the strap would not slip out of the buckle. The "T" end of the strap has a single, blue/grey painted, magnetic sheet metal, female snap with dual, corresponding male snaps, both on sliding leather loops, designed for fit adjustment. The chin harness is fully intact with light chafe wear and light to moderate surface spotting to the snaps. The chinstrap is still quite supple. Nice example.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $6,188.00