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 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: Early production, second pattern, stamped, sheet steel construction, paratrooper helmet only retains hints of its original, field-grey paint with moderate surface spotting through-out resulting in a brownish, camouflaged appearance. All four of the early, vented, steel, spanner style liner retention bolts are intact. The right side of the helmet has a national tri-color shield decal which is retained about 80% with a few scrapes and scuffs and moderate age toning. The interior of the helmet has an age and usage darkened, tan, M38 leather liner, which is fully intact with a central stitched seam, twelve circular ventilation holes and crème rubber padding to the aluminum helmet band and the interior crown. The liner has darkened to a chocolate brown coloration and has two, faint mostly illegible, inkstamps that appear to include the size, "59". The liner is quite dray and stiff. The foam rubber padding appear to have suffered heat damage being partially melted and deformed. The chinstrap harness has been cut-away with short, remnants of four leather straps remaining. The reverse, interior, apron is well marked with a stamped serial number, "4534" and the interior, left side apron has the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, "ET71", indicating manufacture by Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, size 71.

GRADE **1/2                             PRICE $3,570.00