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 civil and captured helmets.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The light weight, stamped sheet steel construction, civic M34 "curved dip" style helmet retains about 50% of its heavily age and usage darkened, smooth finished, parade green paint with moderate to heavy surface spotting bleeding through the paint through-out. The front center of the helmet has the first pattern, (circa 1933-1939), RLB emblem decal, consisting of a silvery/white, forty-eight point white star burst pattern with the stylized, dark navy blue, initials, "RLB" to the center, positioned above a small, canted, deep navy blue, swastika. The decal is retained about 90% but also has heavy surface spotting bleeding through and numerous small lifting bubbles. The helmet has two, separate, groups of seven, "salt & pepper" ventilation holes positioned on each side of the crown. All four of the flat headed liner retaining rivets are intact. The interior of the helmet has an M31, civic style, age and usage darkened, tan leather liner with all eight fingers intact. The liner shows moderate to heavy, heat induced and/or moisture damage resulting in shrinkage and the leather is very dry, stiff and fragile. The cardboard liner band is heavily warped but surprisingly all four of the natural cork spacers between the liner and the helmet shell are still intact. The liner tie string is absent. The interior crown has the addition of an age and usage darkened tan leather crown lining panel with an internal padding intact. The liner and crown panel have been treated but are still both dry, stiff and fragile. The helmet comes complete with a blackened leather chinstrap with a pronged, magnetic sheet metal, length adjustment buckle and a unique, quick release, pressure, magnetic sheet metal clip. The chinstrap has torn away from the liner and has been crudely reattached with twisted wire. The chinstrap shows moderate to heavy surface cracking and is very dry, stiff and fragile. The helmet has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The damage to the helmet all appears to have been heat and/or moisture induced which makes perfect sense due to the RLB’s functions.

GRADE **1/2                             PRICE $749.00