The first helmets used by the elite Sturmabteilung (SA) unit “Feld-herrnhalle” consisted of M1918 and M1935 pattern helmets painted brown.  Applied to these helmets were two insignia that included a National Socialist Party decal and another depicting the SA runic emblem.  To denote elite status, this insignia was changed in 1936 to that of a shield bearing the image of the Feldherrnhalle monument and another with a swastika in circle.  The stylized image of the Feldherrnhalle was placed on the left side of the helmet with the swastika shield placed on the right¹.  After the unit was transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1937, the decal combinations were changed again to include the use of the Luftwaffe eagle.  The Luftwaffe insignia was now worn on the left side of the helmet and the Feldherrnhalle decal was switched to the right.  Most of the helmets worn by the Regiment after 1938 consisted of double decal M1935 Luftwaffe helmets over painted light brown.  After these helmets were repainted they were given new decals placed right over the standard Luftwaffe insignia now hidden under the fresh paint².  Both M1935 double decal and M1940 single decal Luftwaffe helmets were converted in this manner by members of the Regiment.  Those members who remained in the SA later stitched the decal positions by moving the Feldherrnhalle decal to the right side and the swastika shield to the left.  Some SA members were issued M1942 double decal helmets in this configuration.  These later version helmets were typically used only for ceremonial purposes and during guard duty.

Notes:

¹ Helmets used by this Regiment prior to being transferred to the Luftwaffe were most likely M1935 helmets factory produced in overall SA brown.  Specific details regarding the nature of these early helmets have never been fully established and are often in question by collectors.

² Helmets issued to the Regiment after 1938 were typically Luftwaffe helmets that were refinished in SA brown paint.  The paint was both hand and spray applied.  Collectors often prefer these helmets as they are difficult to counterfeit due to the complexity of overlapping paint and decal combinations.

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