ORIGINAL HELMETS

This site was last updated on September 21, 2023

I put a few helmets into the bargain basement.

 

 

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Item 637 M42 Waffen SS helmet

This is one of the best EF M42 SS helmets which I have ever seen. (for some reason the vast majority of EFs are in very used or aged condition) It is a shell size 64. The painted finish is quite thin which is typical of EFs produced during this period. (fairly early as far as M42s go) The runic shield is a textbook EF and remains 95% intact. As it typical for EF SS decals, the background has a color which is more white than silver. The liner shows only light wear. A name is scribbled in the leather but I cannot say whether it is the German who wore it or the US soldier who captured it. Overall the helmet displays magnificently from all angles.  If you are looking for just one combat SS helmet, you may want to seriously consider this one… ON HOLD

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Item 636 M16 Black SS helmet

The so-called “Allgemeine SS helmet” is probably one of the helmets least understood by collectors so a short explanation may be appropriate here. Basically, before 1938, the various units of the SS received no helmets (and very little other gear) from military supply. The reason being two-fold; the SS was a para-military organization at that time. It worked for the Political party; not the government. Secondly, it was not subject to any service where a helmet would have been required. Helmets that were obtained by the SS were worn mainly for parade and certain security functions. The SS was generally not well funded and most of the helmet had to be purchased by the individual soldier; the same as his dress uniform. 90% of helmets used by the SS were obtained from commercial headgear suppliers; the most prominent among them being the various commercially produced helmets patterned after the Austrian M17 which was the most modern and practical design up until the advent of the M35. A smaller number of actual military helmets were obtained from military stocks much the same as army surplus would have been available in the U.S. (That is what this helmet is). In 1938 the first large contracts were given to F.W. Quist to supply the SS-VT with M35s factory finished in grey/green and during that year; because the practice of keeping a black helmet for ceremonial/parade purposes was still being continued,  each SS man was issued with two helmets; one of which was painted black and adorned with C.A.Pocher insignias. By 1940, that practice was discontinued altogether and SS men had to make do with the grey/green helmet alone.

But now we get to the subject at hand… This is an M16 of pre-1919 vintage and had been used by the Reichswehr where it was refurbished circa 1931 and furnished with an M31 liner produced by Schuberthwerke of Brauschweig. It was obtained by the SS sometime between 1934-1938, dis-assembled and over-painted in black with set of C.A. Pocher SS decal applied. The painted finish remains about 80% intact with most of the paint loss occurring around the dome. The decals have faired much better and rate at 95%. The inside of the dome bears a red ink/paint stamp indicating the Stuttgart company that was contracted to refurbish the helmet. The liner still has traces of green paint on the aluminum frame from when it had been refurbished and used by the Reichswehr (or early Wehrmacht). The liner bears a die-stamped size marking and 1931 date on the leather. The chinstrap bales are steel wire which indicates it is from the first run produced by Schuberthwerke in 1931.  The chinstrap is a well used example composed of a long-end from an M27 (maker marked by a Berlin manufacturer) and a buckle end which appears the same as an M31. Overall, the condition is well used but as stated above, the decals have survived quite nicely. The helmet is 100% original and is a very good example for display. $12,400.00

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Item 635 M16 imperial German camouflage helmet

Here is a very nice example of the German M16 with a three-color camouflage pattern. The shell is an Si66 and still retains it’s original liner and chinstrap. The front pad has become half separated from the rim and three of the drawstring holes are pulled through. The colors are clear and vivid and everything is 100% original.  SOLD

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Item 634 M16 double decal army transition helmet

This is a very nice example of a true transition helmet; being refurbished around 1935-37. It retains 95%+ of it’s original M1935 feldgrau finish and was hand painted, which is very typical. The army decal is an early ET style and has turned a bit gold due to patina but is not to be confused with a KM decal. This one is an army. The liner is an early M31 type. It is not possible to bend the frame in order to see the date but it would not be dated any later than 1936. The leather liner has the die-stamped size marking in the leather which was only done in the first couple years of liner production. The chinstrap is well marked and dated 1937. This helmet came recently from an estate auction in Ohio and has not yet been in a collection. It is a real looker. $2750.00

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Item 633 M40 single decal army helmet

Here is an SE66 single decal army helmet with 95% paint and a very nice decal. The decal is a textbook ET style which was shared extensively with the SE factory. It shows very good detail and remains 95% intact. The liner shows moderate wear but is fully intact and sound. The chinstrap is by all indications, original to the helmet and is marked with an RF number (reichsfabrik). There has been some white paint speckles sprayed on the inside visor; probably from being stored ina garage or attic. The helmet has a wonderful honest appearance and the finish has an excellent matte quality, not being effected by patina and collector handling. Overall a well balanced helmet. $1850.00

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Item 632 M40 single decal army helmet

This SE64 is in choice condition with excellent finish and a beautiful  ET style army decal. The paint is lightly textured as earlier M40s generally are. I believe this one to date to 1941. The liner shows moderate wear and remains fully intact and sound. The unmarked chinstrap has a nice steel buckle and is by all indications, original to the helmet. The helmet is well balanced as far as condition of all components. Overall it shows display-ability and is worthy of the top shelf. SOLD

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Item 631 M35 single decal army helmet (former double decal) 

This NS64 originally left the factory as a double decal but was repainted early in the war. The helmet was covered over in a very thick texture over-paint with the decal being painted around 9as was quite typically done in 1940 after the order came down to get rid of the national color decals. I cannot make out a trace of the acceptance stamp which would have been in the dome. Typically NS marked their shells very well but it seems they skipped this one. The C.A.Pocher decal shows very good detail and has escaped major damage or wear. The liner shows considerable wear and use. I can imagine that this is one of those helmets that went into Russia in 1941. The Chinstrap is by all indications, original to the helmet and shows commensurate wear and use. This helmet has very good shelf appeal. ON HOLD

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Item 630 M35 Luftwaffe double decal helmet

This is a wonderful M35 Luftwaffe helmet with all matching 1938 dated components. The painted finish remains 95% intact. The eagle decal is very nearly perfect. The dome of the helmet bears a clear 1938 dated accdeptance stamp as does the aluminum band of the reinforced liner frame. The chinstrap is unit marked on the inside and is made from brown dyed leather exclusively for Luftwaffe helmets. It was made by Rahm Kampmann, Wuppertal and is likewise dated 1938. The leather of the liner has a small part cut out of the rear. This typically happens when a helmet was found in Germany decades after the war. The family didn’t want to throw out the helmet but at the same time, wanted the family name removed from it. Overall this is a very well balanced helmet with all components in matching condition. 100% honest is every regard. SOLD

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Item 629 M42 single decal army helmet

This is one fo the nicest examples I have ever had of what I like to call the quintessential German combat helmet; the M42 single decal army. The shell is an ET64 and is one of the least produced which were marked on the side. The lot number is 2627 which would date this one to the winter/ early spring of 1943. The eagle decal is a textbook ET type and remains 95% intact. The painted finish shows only very light texture which is typical of this period of production. The chinstrap is by all indications, original to the helmet and is made by G Schiele, Loburg, 1942. Overall, this one is top shelf.   ON HOLD

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Item 628 M42 single decal army helmet

This is another evry good example of the M42 single decal army helmet. The painted finish remains 95% intact with a textbook ET style army decal. The shell is an ET66 and has a clear acceptance stamp inside the dome. The liner shows moderate wear and the drawstring has been replaced with a leather thong at some point. The lot number dates this one to mid 1942. Overall a good clean example. ON HOLD

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Item 627 M32 Slovak helmet

First a bit of background information on the Slovak M32; When Nazi Germany took over Czechoslovakia in March of 1939 they arranged the partitioning of the country into two separate territories; the Protectorate of Bohemia/Moravia which was occupied by the Wehrmacht and the first Slovak republic which was created as a state aligned with Nazi Germany. The Slovak army was equipped with materials of the former Czech army; including the M32 helmet which had been adopted by Czechoslovakia just 3 years prior. The helmet was distinctive for the blue band painted around the base of the helmet and a Slovak cross on each side; mostly this cross was placed between the two side rivets but original photography shows us that it was occasionally placed directly above the forward rivet; as is the case with this example. After the end of communism in 1989 and the opening of eastern countries, the collector market became saturated with examples of the Slovak helmet; the majority being easily produced fakes. For reasons explained below, I believe this to be an original example.

This is a standard Czech model 1932 helmet with Slovak insignia and hand rendered blue circumferential band. M32 helmets are generally dated by ink-stamp on the underside of each of the 5 pillows. Beginning in 1937, there was also an ink stamp placed at the inside rear of the helmet shell itself. This example is dated 1935. Each of the known/accepted original “Slovak-used” helmets which I have ever encountered have tended to be earlier helmets. I have examined a good number of the fake helmets and conversely, have found they tend to be helmets from un-issued stocks dated 1938. I believe this reflects that original Slovak-used helmets were drawn from stocks already issued and used. Secondly; the cross is applied directly over the forward side rivet which is the less common position that originals were located. Every one of the fakes which I have encountered have the cross centered between the side rivets just as expected from examining the majority of period photos. Added to these two observations, is my general experience with painted insignia. In my opinion, the hand rendered crosses and blue band on this example are indeed period applied and date to 1939-1940 and I am willing to include a written certification of my opinion in this matter. The helmet is completed with the correct and original wartime leather chinstrap. The 5 pads are made from white chrome-tanned leather (Brown natural tanned leather is an indication of post war liner pads.) Overall, every feature points to this being a correct and honest example of a very rare helmet. $2850.00

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Item 626 M16 Imperial German army helmet

This is a “Bell-L” produced M16 in shell size 64. The original factory feldgrau paint remains 95% intact and still retains good color, not too much effected by patina and collector handling. The liner is in oustanding condition given the fcat that 90% of all M16 helmets have had their liners rotted away; and those that survive are only very rarely in this state of preservation. One of the liner pads shows the name and unit of the doughboy who brought this helmet back to the US in 1919. The two rear liner pads have the small pillow still inside them but the front one does not. (often times the front pad was removed to make the liner fit more comfortably on a soldier with a particular head shape) Overall this is a helmet that one is not likely to be able to upgrade.  ON HOLD

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Item 625 M42 single decal army helmet

A decent example of the quintessential German combat helmet. This is an ET64 M42 with 90% original factory finish showing medium texture. The helmet is side-marked with the manufacturer/size. The lot number is 1720 which indicates likely production in the summer of 1942. The eagle decal is the standard ET variant and shows even wear with no major chips. Overall it rates at 95%. The leather of the liner shows considerable wear and the drawstring has been replaced with some non-standard string. A very attractive and honest piece.  SOLD

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Item 624 M40 single decal army helmet

Here is a decent 1941 vintage M40 EF66 helmet with 95% of it’s original textured paint. The eagle decal is one of the Huber Jordan & Koerner patterns which were used by EF through-out it’s entire production run. It has some considerable chips but the main details are intact. The leather liner shows a good amount of wear/use and bears the original owner’s initials. The chinstrap appears to be original to the helmet. It is nearly broken through at one point and the end had been snipped to remove slack. This helmet is a very honest, representative example. $975.00

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Item 623 1930s Child’s toy helmet

This is a great novelty item. During the 1930s, military themed toys were very big in Germany. The popular “elastolin” toy soldiers could be bought for pfennigs and were prevalent in nearly every household that contained a male child. Small sized helmets made from “Blechstahl” were offered for sale by a number of com[anies and cost about 2.50RM. This is an example of one of those. It has a Reichswehr type tri-color decal on one side and sports a leather liner/chinstrap. The paint remains reasonably intact. The size is small. Probably about 52-53 cms. Completely original overall.  $400.00 ON HOLD

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Item 622 M27 helmet of the Irish free-state

This is a good example of the helmet produced by Vickers LTD in London on order from the Irish free state. Based obviously on the German M16, these helmets were of low quality and offered little protection for the combat soldier. They were used between 1927 and 1939 when replaced by the British Mk II. 99% of them were painted white and relegated for civil defense. This one has most likely been stipped back to the shell’s original black anodized color. It is well marked and the leather is still in fine shape. A decent example of a very rare helmet. ON HOLD

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Item 619 M40 single decal army helmet

This is a completely honest NS64 M40. It has excellent paint coverage on both the shell itself and the split-pin heads. The textbook Pocher decal rates at 90%, showing only a few chips yet with very good detail. The helmet has the expected acceptance stamp inside the dome. The liner shows moderate wear with it’s original drawstring and is named to an Oberleutnant. The chinstrap is unmarked and is in a condition commensurate with the leather of the liner. Overall, this is a very good and solid example of an M40 army. SOLD

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Item 615 M40 overpaint/former DAK helmet

This is a NS64 single decal m40 helmet bearing a textbook C.A. Pocher decal. It was painted over in tropical tan color. Later it was over-painted in a color which I refer to as “Bunker green” because it matches the green paint which I have occasionally seen applied to the exterior of German bunkers in France. (That’s just my own observation and not really a term widely used by collectors). The helmet retains 90-92% of it’s paint and you can see the tan layer poking through in areas of damage. The liner and strap are in commensurate condition. The liner has the seam running up the side rather than the rear. (This is occasionally seen and since these liners were assembled by hand; merely indicates that German’s had Friday afternoons just like we do). Overall, this is a very attractive example. $1800.00

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Item 614 M35 textured camouflage helmet

Here is an example of the NS 1938 army contract. It originally left the factory as a double decal army helmet. It was extensively used and during the war was over-painted in a thick texture finish, covering both decals. The interior retains the original factory finish. This is one of those helmets that we call a “real combat veteran” and quite probably marched across the steppes of Russia before it’s wearer was transferred to the west where the helmet was captured and brought to the US in 1945. This one is a real looker. $1950.00

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Item 613 M35 Re-issue/Overpaint helmet

This helmet is a Q64 with a typical “Bigfoot” eagle decal from the Quist 1937 army contract. After 1940 it was overpainted by brush, covering the national color decal. The broad brush-strokes running from front to back are commonly seen in these repaints which I believe date to 1940 because the decal is typically painted around. Overall, the helmet shows a good amount of wear and use but all components remain intact. The chinstrap is dated 1937 and is marked by a maker which I have often seen on Quist helmets of this period. (as we all know, chinstraps were not applied at the factories but certain strap manufactures are found on helmets of certain makers. I believe this is because of the chronology of the helmets being issued rather than an actual correlation between strap and helmet maker. This is a well balanced and very good example of a combat used helmet. SOLD

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Item 606 Kriegsmarine Pith helmet shields by Gustav Brehmer

Here is an original matching pair Kriegsmarine pith helmet shields. They are unmakrked but are commensurate with the pattern made by Gustave Brehmer. The prongs are completely intact. The finish remains 90% intact. 100% original. $250.00

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Item 605 US M1 fixed-bale helmet w/ Inland liner

This one is in great condition with 98% of it’s original textured exterior paint. The shell is an early one with a 321C heat treat number. The liner is marked Inland 36 and was period repainted over the exterior. The webbing is in excellent condition and is topped off with an excellent green hardware leather chinstrap. The inside dome of the steel shell shows effects of moisture over the years but the helmet diplays wonderfully. $495.00

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Item 601 US M1917 helmet

This is a great example of the US M1917 helmet. It shows just a tiny bit of wear with no abuse and no post-war damage. 100% original in every regard with it’s original textured paint and a sound liner and chinstrap. The original owner; Sargent Raymond L. Gatta has written his name and service number inside. The size is 7. The price is $225.00

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Item 989  M35 Double decal SS-VT Helmet, Historically significant

Identified as having been owned by Irmfried Eberl of Treblinka and Auschwitz

This helmet comes from my own collection. It is a very good example of a double decal SS helmet from the first batch of SS VT helmets produced by Quist in 1938. It has a 1938 dated liner frame. The chinstrap; which is certainly original to the helmet, bears the “V.A. SS 1938” marking that was stamped into chinstraps issued with the first Quist contract. (The markings show considerable age/wear but I have made a comparison with a more clear example for those of you who may not be familiar with this extremely rare SS chinstrap marking). The helmet originally left the factory with the standard feldgrau finish applied by Quist to helmets of their Heer and SS contracts. It was subsequently painted black on the exterior as well as the interior skirt and a set of C.A. Pocher after-market decals were applied. The helmet was issued to an SS man as his “second helmet” for the purposes of parade use. Prior to 1939, every member of the SS Verfungungstruppe was issued two helmets; one for field use and one for dress. The helmet was later repainted in a particular shade of feldgrau which has been seen on other SS re-issues. A third set of decals; another pair of C.A.Pocher after-market types were applied over this third coat of paint. It is important to note that I refer to C.A. Pocher decals as “after-market” because at this period of time, Pocher decals were just that; decals intended for after-market application rather than application at a factory. Pocher decals were generally not applied at any of the helmet factories until later when supply issues caused them to be used for a short time by both the ET and the Quist factories. So; in short, this helmet is in it’s third incarnation and in that sense is one of many such early SS-VT helmets which were re-utilized during the war years. You can see in the decal close-up that there are three layers of decals. It remains in a sound and attractive condition with 90% paint and a striking runic shield. The leather shows wear but is overall intact with no damage.  As to it’s attribution to Irmfried Eberl. The helmet bears Eberl’s name twice imprinted on the leather and the dome of the helmet shell. Why is it assumed to be the helmet of this specific Eberl? Note that there are two other names “Albert” and “Messmer”. On the Auschwitz rolls available at the Holocaust memorial website, there is a messmer and several men with the surname Albert. This is the link. After his short but disastrous tenure as commandant of Treblinka, Eberl was transfered to the Auschwitz death camp. It was there after some months that he left the SS altogether (serving the rest of the war with the medical department of the Wehrmacht). He would have turned in his gear, leaving the helmet as garrison property; to be re-issued to later personnel. The fact that the other names are those of men identified in the Auschwitz rolls leaves the attribution of this helmet beyond any reasonable doubt. The appearance of the helmet and it’s multiple re-issues to at least 4 different men is an aspect which is common to most known “camp helmets”.

Eberl had quite a career if you care to look him up. First was his participation with the T4 euthanasia program at Brandenberg followed by his assignment as the first commandant of Treblinka from July/August 1942, where he presided over one of the bloodiest two month periods of a single facility during the entire history of the Holocaust. Some 160,000 people were liquidated under Eberl’s watch, however he apparently was as wretched as an administrator as he was as a person. Upon the first inspection of the camp by head of Operation Reinhard; Christian Wirth, the state of the camp with it’s piles of unburied corpses caused Eberl to be immediately replaced with Franz Stangl. Eberl later served at Auschwitz and returned for a time to the newly reconsituted T4 program at Brandenberg; ending the war with the Wehrmacht medical department. After May, 1945, Eberl returned to his medical practice in Blaubeuren near Ulm. He was apprehended in January 1948 by the American authorities. When he became aware that the Americans had no doubt as to his identity, he hanged himself in his jail cell. Eberl’s helmet was brought to the US by a veteran from Illinois ( who presumably captured it at some location where Auschwwitz personnel were relocated in the west after the camp was abandoned in the face of the Russian advance in January 1945) The veteran died and his family sold the helmet at their garage sale. It ended up in a collection for many years and only recently was researched by Kelly hicks.

A helmet of this nature is not for everyone. It has born witness to depravity unequaled in all of the human experience. But as a historical artifact, it has few equals. The helmet is priced at $29,500

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Item 940 M35 Double decal army Helmet

One of the cleanest and most attractive examples I have been able to offer in quite a while; this ET66 M35 helmet retains 98% of it’s finish; which is a shade of feldgrau with a distinct grey-ish hue. The decals are typical ET factory applied and remain 99% intact. The acceptance stamp inside the dome is quite faint but I believe I can make out a 1939 date. The aluminum reinforced liner frame is marked and dated 1939. The lot number corresponds to mid-1939 production. The leather of the liner shows only light wear and has some minor flaking around the edge. The chinstrap is a pre-1940 example with aluminum hardware. The maker mark is quite difficult to make out but I believe it to be Rahm-Kampmann of Wuppertal and the date is likely 1939. Overall this one is a real beauty in every regard. SOLD

 

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Item 915 M18 style “droop-bill” SS parade helmet

This is an M18 “style” commercially produced helmet which was used almost exclusively by the SS for their early parade helmets. By that, I mean that although the manufacturer is not known; nearly each and every helmet of this specific shell type has been found to be associated with the SS, either by added insignia or by a name/unit marking somewhere on the helmet. Although significantly less than half of the known examples bear any insignia, I have personally never seen a helmet of this type used by another service branch. The last two photos show this helmet in comparison with one which has been adorned with 1935 era C.A.Pocher decals. As t the helmets condition, the paint remains 90% intact. The liner has been patterned after the military M27 style and is permanently riveted to the shell at three points. The chinstrap is permanently riveted to the leather liner frame at each side. Overall the leather is fragile but reasonably intact. This particular helmet is not named or identified by unit. The below image shows the SD man at left wearing a helmet of this exact type with SS insignia.  $1850.00

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Below are some links to pages which you might enjoy looking at.

Note: some of the links are broken (or pages wiped out) since I have moved to the new platform. I intend to rebuild and reset the links when I can get around to it. .

 

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Formal studio portarait of Oberfeldwebel Johann Schwerdfeger, a pre-war professional soldier, probably created in connection with his award of the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross), received in 14 May 1944 when he served as a Zugführer (platoon leader) in the 1.Kompanie / I.Bataillon / Jäger-Regiment 228 / 101.Jäger-Division. Schwerdfeger soldiered from 1935 to 1937 in Infanterie-Regiment 84, and in 1939 was transferred to the third company of Infanterie-Regiment 186 of the 73. Infanterie-Division, at the Polish Campaign’s start. In June 1942, after serving in Jägerersatzbataillon 75, Schwerdfeger joined Jäger-Regiment 228 of the 101. Jäger-Division, who fought in the Don Bend, at Rostov, and at Maikop, in the Caucasus, and joined the retreat through the Kuban and the Taman Peninsula. On 17 May 1943 Schwerdfeger was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) for his extraordinary bravery in the battlefield. In April 1944, in the breakout from Hube’s Pocket, he was severely wounded, and was awarded the Eichenlaub for his Ritterkreuz; moreover, Sergeant Schwerdfeger also earned two Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (tank destruction badges), meaning that he singlehandedly destroyed two enemy tanks with hand-held weapon. Schwerdfeger was able to recover from his wounds sustained in Hube’s Pocket and served the remainder of the war. He passed away in December 2015. The novel, “The Willing Flesh”, by veteran Willi Heinrich, and the famous World War II movie “Cross of Iron” (based on the novel), is generally recognised as being loosely based on Schwerdfeger’s experiences as an NCO in Jäger-Regiment 228 in the course of that unit’s retreat through the Kuban and Taman Peninsula in the late stages of the war. 

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