M35 DD Army (Heer) Helmet

ET (Eisen-und Huttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz) Size 64. Lotnr 3664. Liner band and dome stamp dated 1937. No chin strap.

This helmet was refurbished before the war as smooth paint and double decals were reapplied (as opposed to rough paint and a single decal as used during the war). Decals are at about 50% with the original decal outline visible under the current ones. The paint is about 40% original pea-green and the rest is the later apple-green. The later paint and decals did not adhere well to the surface.

The liner is very nice and still supple. The aluminum un-reinforced liner band is dated 1937 and there is a beautiful dome stamp of 1937 as well. Originally, I thought it was a Kreigsmarine helmet for two reasons. First the eagle decal has a toned finish to it but this is just the lacquer that had changed colour. The second reason is because there is a cloth tag still sewn onto the liner that reads: Breitner N35/37K. Cloth tags sewn onto liners was a practise mostly done by members of the KM. Breitner is the original owner's name and I researched the meaning of the other letters and found this:

• N: the unit came under the command of the Admiral of the North Sea
• 35: Personnel number within that unit
• 37: year Breitner joined the Kriegsmarine
• K: Küsten Laufbahn Land (Coastal service based on land rather than sea hence Coastal Artillery)

So this was originally a KM helmet that was refurbished as an Army helmet. Pretty cool.

$1395US plus shipping.