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Luftwaffe (Air Force): M1935 Double Decal Helmet Photos

This German Air Force (Luftwaffe) combat helmet was acquired in August 2004 from a personal estate in Indiana (USA). The owner recalls that the helmet was given to him by his mother who received it from her brother as a gift commemorating his service time during World War II. This helmet (and another) were left untouched for decades in a basement where they deteriorated very little compared to others stored under similar conditions. The large sized 68cm helmet features a light blue-gray smooth finished paint and a liner dated "1940." The helmet's liner band is the zinc plated second pattern variety manufactured to replace the aluminum type introduced in 1931. This liner is clearly factory installed and not an upgrade or later addition. As a double decal combat helmet the use of a later pattern 1940 dated liner band is not at all uncommon. Many collectors insist that when this occurs with double decal helmets that the helmet itself has been postwar altered. Here is solid evidence that many double decal helmets received period, factory applied, 1940 dated second pattern liner bands during the factory transition years of 1939 through 1940. This also gives strong credence to the fact that double decal combat helmets were clearly manufactured, issued and worn well after regulations declared that the National tri-colored decal be removed. This helmet is fully documented and supports these historical assumptions beyond a doubt.

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German-Helmets.com - The Online Reference Guide to World War II German Helmets 1933-1945