N18353 DRK M34 DOUBLE DECAL HELMET. (Stahlhelm M34) 

BACKGROUND: The DRK, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross), was a voluntary civil assistance organization that was originally instituted in 1864 and was officially acknowledged by the Geneva Convention on July 27^TH 1929. On December 9^TH 1937 the DRK gained the status of a legally recognized organization by the NSDAP. As with other essential services in Third Reich Germany the DRK came under control of the NSDAP in late 1938 under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior Social Welfare Organization. DRK uniforms can be traced back to at least WWI and underwent minor modifications until August 6^TH 1935 when major modifications were enacted including the introduction of the national eagle emblem with swastika. When engaged in hazardous duties DRK personnel were issued a variety of M34 civic style steel helmets for protection. The M34 civic style helmets came in at least twelve versions with subtly variations to each. The M34 helmets were made of a lighter grade of metal then the Wehrmacht helmets and were utilized by a wide variety of civilian and political organizations. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped sheet steel construction, civic M34 "TeNo variant" style helmet retains about 65% of its original parade green paint with numerous small spots of wear to the base metal with moderate surface spotting. The left side of the helmet has a second pattern, Third Reich era, (circa 1938-1945), DRK eagle decal which features a white, pointed tip, shield shaped base with a central black DRK eagle with elongated, down swept wings with a canted, white swastika superimposed on its breast and clutching a red cross in its talons. The DRK eagle decal is retained about 70% with a couple of fair sized scrapes. The right side of the helmet has a national tri-color decal which is retained about 85%. The helmet has a single group of seven, "salt & pepper" ventilation holes positioned to each side of the crown and all four flat headed liner retaining rivets are intact. The interior of the helmet has a ten finger, tan leather construction, civic style liner with all four natural cork spacers situated between the liner and shell still intact. The liner is in overall good condition with light chafe wear to the edges, and light to moderate age and usage toning and the leather is still quite supple. The liner is well marked with purple inkstamped size, "55", and the original fit adjustment tie string is intact. The helmet comes complete with a blackened, grained, leather chinstrap with a pronged magnetic sheet metal fit adjustment buckle. The reverse of the chinstrap is in natural tan leather and it is still quite supple. Of Note: A photographic example of this unusual double decal, "TeNo variant", style DRK helmet can be seen in J. R. Angolia’s book, In the Service of the Reich, on page 261. Scarce DRK double decal helmet.