Regulations governing the wear of police insignia on helmets worn by the State Police Groups (Ordnungspolizei-ORPO) evolved over the course of several years.  Prior to 1934, many State Police Groups (including Rural Police) utilized standard provincial insignia which had been used for many years on traditional police headgear.

During these early years of transition, helmet insignia went through various stages of evolution.  Following the integration of all police units into a central organization, the Rural Police were issued light weight M1934 model police helmets.  Given the nature of duties in rural areas, many Rural Police members preferred to use their leather Shako as the primary form of headgear.  As a result, the number of steel helmets used by Rural Police was rather small.

Of the surviving Rural Police helmets examined, most were painted a light to medium field gray color.  However a large number were also painted the standard black color used on all police helmets.  It is also interesting to note that some Rural Police helmets bore no insignia whatsoever.