Few photographs exist to verify the type of helmets worn by members of the Free Indian Legion.  It is commonly believed that members of the "Legion Freies Indien" wore standard German Army (Heer) helmets of the M1940 and M1942 types.  It is thought that most helmets were issued both with and without the single "Wehrmachtsadler" decal on the left side of the helmet.  However a small number of helmets exist which posses the image of the "Legion Freies Indien" insignia in decal form¹.  This decal is identical to the arm shield patch in both color and style.  A second insignia type is also believed to exist.  The second type is a more simplified shield bearing just the orange, white, and green national colors of India. 

Like most Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS volunteer helmets, decals denoting a volunteer unit's nationality were often placed on the opposite side of the helmet.  This was typically done in reverse fashion.  However, the practice of placing insignia in this fashion was not always held to on a consistent basis.  Whether or not decals of the kind described were in fact produced and used in large numbers remains unknown.  Most modern collectors dismiss the possibility that such decals exist.  However, it would seem that at least a few of the nearly 2,300 helmets issued to members of the Free Indian Legion did in deed have specially printed decals.  Collectors should consider helmets of this type extremely scarce to non-existent.

The "Wehrmachtsadler" Insignia of the German Army (right or left side)

The Shield Insignia of the Free Indian Legion (right or left side)

The National Colors of India in Decal Form (right or left side)