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, (Iron and Foundry Works), 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, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), 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. The M35 had an inserted ventilation bushing positioned on each side of the helmet and a rolled bottom edge while the M40 eliminated the bushings and replaced them by stamping the ventilation eyelets directly into the helmet, although it still retained the rolled bottom edge. Further construction modifications were undertaken in August 1942 resulting in the M42 helmet. The M42 retained the stamped ventilation eyelets as found on the M40 helmets but eliminated the bottom, rolled edge. The Luftwaffe, (Air-{Weapon}, Force), 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. 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. The Fliegerhorstfeuerwehr, (Air Base Fire Brigades), were established shortly after the official unveiling of the newly formed Luftwaffe on March 9^TH 1935. Personnel of the Air Base Fire Brigades were drawn from civilian fire fighters and were classed as Angehörige der Luftwaffe, (Members of the Air-Force), with neither the status of soldiers or Officials. Although the cadre personnel were not classified as military personnel the Air Base Fire Brigades were administered by a group of Feuerschutzbeamte, (Fire Protection Officials), under the control of the "RLM", Reichs Luftfahrt Ministerium, (National Ministry of Aviation). Originally personnel serving with the Air Base Fire Brigades were issued the same, black painted, types of helmets as used by the civilian fire fighting services that consisted of the assorted, light weight M34 style helmets, but with Luftwaffe insignia. Originally the helmets were outfitted with a protective "comb", to the top crown but regulations in 1939 discontinued use of the comb and further regulations in 1940 dictated that an identifying, horizontal, white stripe was to be added to the helmets although neither directive was completely adhered to. Besides the assorted, civil M34 style helmets the standard M35, M40 and M42 helmets were also utilized as required.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction, M40 pattern helmet retains about 85% of it’s semi-gloss, black over-paint with numerous small, surface scuffs and scrapes to the base steel with light surface spotting. The helmet also has a few small splotches of white paint. The left side of the helmet has a second pattern, (Circa 1936/1937-1945), black detailed, silvery/white, Luftwaffe eagle decal, clutching a canted swastika in one talon. The decal is retained about 60% with a few small scuffs and scrapes. The decal appears to have been carefully painted around but there also appears to be a black base underneath the surface paint. The helmet has no evidence of a horizontal white stripe ever having been applied. All three liner retaining rivets are intact. The interior of the helmet appears to still have a heavily age and usage darkened Luftwaffe blue/grey painted finish which shows moderate surface spotting. The interior of the helmet also has an age and usage darkened, M31 tan, leather liner with all eight of it’s fingers and the original tie string intact. The liner shows light to moderate chafe wear to the bottom edge resulting in a couple of small tears and the tie string eyelet on one finger has torn. The liner leather is still in good, pliable condition. The liner has no visible size markings. The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped, "541" and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and the size, "SE 64" indicating manufacture by Sächsische Emaillier-und Stanzwerke, AG Lauter, (Saxon Enamel and Die/Metal Stamp Works), size 64. The helmet’s chinstrap is absent. Scarce M40 Air Base Fire Brigade helmet.