WW2GermanHelmets.com
Authentic WWII Helmets and Collectibles
WW2GermanHelmets.com specializes in 100% authentic, period-correct WWII helmets and various other WWII artifacts and collectibles. Established in 2005, our core focus is on providing our customers with the highest quality and most historically accurate pieces.
How to Identify your German Helmet
The M1916 German Helmet: The M1916 was the first German Steel helmet and it was developed due to the number of head injuries from shrapnel in the trenches. The earlier leather Pickelhaube helmet just did not provide the level of protection necessary for modern warfare. The M1916 German helmet was used through the duration of WWI and shells were later reissued during the early Third Reich era. The Austrian counterpart of the M1916 German helmet is often referred to as the M1917.
The M1918 Transitional German Helmet: The M1918 is the final German helmet used during World War One. The difference between the M16-M17 German helmets and the M18 German helmets is that the lower Rivet toward the bottom of the right side and left side of the helmet are not present. The German economy was in shambles during the 1930's and it was cost effective to refurbish the World War One German helmets. Typically the transitional German helmets feature an M1931 liner as well, but you can find Early WWII German helmets with the early three pad WWI liners. Many of the Transitional German helmets were used throughout the War. I have had a number of Transitional German helmets that were US Vet captured at the end of the War.
The M1935 German Helmet: The M1935 German helmet was introduced in 1935, hence the name, M1935. Compared to a Transitional World War I German helmet, the M1935 German helmet was much lighter and more compact, and offered more comfort. The air vents were made of separately inserted hollow steel rivets. The edge of the helmet was turned under or "rolled" on the undersides. The shells were distinctly more oval in shape from front to back when compared to the M1940 German helmet. The M1935 German helmet definitely brought a more modern look to the World War II German helmets.
The M1940 Helmet: In 1940, the M1935 German helmet was modified into what is known as the M1940. The main difference between the M1935 and the M1940 is in the air vent holes. The M1940 has a stamped air hole made to look like a rivet, instead of the actual rivet found on the M1935. The M1940 was made of an improved steel made from manganese-silicon. The M1940 also was manufactured through a process of hot stamping the metal. The M1940 is like the M1935 with regard to the rolled steel edges.
The M1942 German Helmet: The World War II German combat helmet underwent a third modification in July, 1942. As an economic measure the rolled edge was eliminated. The edge of the M1942 is flared a bit and the edge is an unfinished edge. Other than the lack of the rolled edge, the M1942 was identical to the M1940 helmet. In August of 1943, the factories also ceased to apply decals. This explains the lack of decals on many M1942's that have survived.
The M1938 Fallschirmjager (Paratrooper) German Helmet: The World War II German Paratrooper helmet is quite different from that of the typical shaped German Helmets from WWI & WWII. They are more round in nature with a slight visor at the front. The initial design was to allow for a more aerodynamic shape to prevent injury when jumping, especially from the violent prop blast that a Trooper would experience when exiting the aircraft. These typically are manufactured by the ET firm and you will normally find these in size 66, 68, & 71.
The M1934 Civic German Helmet
In 1934, the Middleweight German helmet was developed for service in non-combat roles. The M1934 German helmet was used many by the German Police & Fire personnel. These German helmets typically are black in color with a Police decal on the left side and the National party decal on the right side. The vent holes look more like what you see on a salt shaker with multiple small holes. These are the most common of the WWII German helmets and don't enjoy the same values as the German helmets used in combat.
The M1938 Luftschutz German Helmet
In 1938, a German helmet was developed for service use by the Civilian Air Defense Corps known as Luftschutz. The Luftschutz personnel operated search lights, air raid sirens, assisting civilians into bomb shelters, and provided support to Flak batteries. This type of WWII German helmet is commonly referred to as the Gladiator helmet. These are the very common among WWII German helmets and the least expensive German helmets.
The M1935-40-42 Beaded Luftschutz German Helmet
The Luftschutz German helmets can also be found in the beaded combat style. The Beaded Luftschutz helmets are essentially the same helmets as the M1935, M1940, & M1942 German combat helmets. Most of the Beaded Luftschutz German helmets are the M1935s or 1940s and they are occasionally found in the M1942 model. They are just like the combat helmets with the exception of the added bead. Some theorize that the beaded ring around the helmet was pressed into helmets that were rejected due to quality issues. I am not sure that I subscribe to that theory as I have encountered very high quality beaded Luftschutz German helmets. The Beaded Luftschutz German helmets are normally a really nice deep Blue paint color, and are the most desirable of the Luftschutz helmets.
Decals
National Colors Decal
The Transitional German helmets and the M1935 German helmets typically had the National Colors decal on the right side of the helmet and the correct service decal on the left side. The National Colors decal is a Tri-color decal with Black, White, and Red. German helmets with decals on both sides are known as 'Double Decal' helmets. Some M1940's had decals on both sides. In March of 1940, the National Colors decal was discontinued through order of the German High Command.
National Colors Decal
Service Decals - Heer & Kriegsmarine (Army & Navy)
The Service decals were placed on the left side of the German helmet. The regular German Army helmets are known as 'Heer' helmets and are identified by the Eagle and Swastika in Silver. The German Navy or Kriegsmarine service decal is exactly like the Heer decal, with the exception of the Eagle and Swastika are in a deeper Gold. They are fairly easy to identify under a loop as the Gold flakes are very prominent.
Early Gray Lined
Bigfoot Q Heer
Kriegsmarine
Service Decals - Luftwaffe (Air Force)
Luftwaffe German helmets are easily identified by the Eagle with Wings spread, with the Swastika being held in the right talon. The placement of the decal is also on the left side of the German helmet. The Luftwaffe units served in many capacities but were primarily Air Field personnel and Anti-aircraft batteries. As German resources became stretched thin on the Eastern and Western fronts, many units of the Luftwaffe were activated into Front line combat infantry roles.
First Pattern
Second Pattern
Service Decals - SS
There are variations of SS decals. With the exception of the decals by the CA Pocher, the SS decals will be based on the factory that issued the helmets. The Early SS German helmets regardless of the plant were normally issued with the CA Pocher. The CA Pocher SS decal was also used on most factory and field reissued helmets. The ET-SE decal is also found on some EF helmets. The Q (Quist) decal is only found on the Q made helmets. The Party Decal is found on most 1935 pre-war helmets.
CA Pocher
ET & SE Style
EF Style
Q - Quist Type
Party Decal
Service Decals - Field Police
Combat Police decals can be bordered and un-bordered. The Un-bordered decals are most often found on the M35s but can be found on some M40s. The bordered Police decals are also found on lightweight M34 Civic versions of the Fire Police helmet.
Un-bordered Police
Bordered Police
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