BACKGROUND: The single piece, M44 gladiator style helmet without the central horizontal bead was introduced in 1944 and was intended for use by non-combatant personnel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Helmet retains about 95% of its light greenish/tan over-paint with a few small areas of light surface spotting. Helmet has SA decals as introduced on May 25TH 1939. Left side of helmet has a political style national eagle decal. Right side of helmet has the circular SA decal with silver outer border and stylized "SA" runes on a maroon background field. Decal is retained about 70% to 80% with bubbling to the protective lacquer on both. Helmet has two groups of seven "salt & pepper" ventilation holes to either side of crown. All four liner retaining rivets are intact. Visor/neck guard has a semi-circular "ear" cut-out to each side and a rolled inner edge rim. Interior visor and neck guard have also been over-painted in the same greenish/tan paint as the exterior but interior crown retains its original smooth satin blue paint. Interior has a nine finger natural tan fabric liner with ventilation perforations to front section. All four natural cork spacers between the helmet body and liner are intact. Helmet is missing its chinstrap. Rare SA double decal helmet.

GRADE ***½                             PRICE $4,995.00