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Schutzstaffeln: SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler Helmets

Helmet Description

The first helmets worn by members of the SS-Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH) were standard model M1917 and M1918 helmets (including a handful of Austrian models) dating back to the World War I era. These early helmets were simply painted black and bore no insignia whatsoever. Sometime later a black swastika with a white border was painted on the left side of these helmets. On 23 February 1934 the first standardized insignia was established for wear on all LAH helmets. The insignia consisted of a white runic insignia on a black shield and the National tricolored insignia of Germany. Shortly thereafter this insignia was revised by the addition of the 1st pattern runic shield. Initially all insignia were painted onto the helmets, but this was soon modified by the introduction of standard decal transfers. The first runic decal transfer and National Socialist Party decal insignia to be used on LAH helmets was authorized by Heinrich Himmler on 12 August 1935. Helmets worn by the LAH retained their satin black finish for guard and ceremonial duties, although a small number of field-gray versions were utilized from 1935 onwards when members received military training along side the SS-Verfügungstruppe (known as SS-VT)¹. In 1934 the SS Administrative Office ordered the remanufacture of World War I style helmets to supplement the shortfall of World War I model helmets currently in use. These privately manufactured helmets were produced in a dark blue-black color and most were void of insignia. Each helmet was marked under the flange with a very pronounced "RZM" and "SS" insignia stamped directly into the steel. On 1 November 1935 an order for the new model M1935 helmets was confirmed by the Reich's War Ministry. The first of these helmets were given to the LAH on 11 May 1936². On 6 July 1939 the LAH withdrew all remaining RZM and World War I model helmets from regular use. These helmets are believed to have been melted down and destroyed.

Notes:

¹ Original helmets worn by the LAH are few in number and virtually all in existence have been fully accounted for. Helmets of this sort have been extensively faked and most found today should be considered counterfeits both new and old.

² It is believed that some of the first M1935 helmets delivered to the LAH were configured with German Army insignia rather than SS decals (see Period Photos).

The M1918 Helmet with Early LAH Insignia (circa 1934)

The M1918 Helmet with Standard LAH Insignia (August 1935)

Overview

Each section of German-Helmets.com is divided into separate Information Tracks that outline important details, facts, and historical notes pertaining to steel helmets used by the German Armed Forces during World War II.

Information Tracks are organized by subject matter and their content is directly related to the service arm or organization to which each topic is related. Topic areas that bridge one subject matter to another are cross linked within each Information Track.

This Information Track provides historical facts pertaining to steel helmets worn by the SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler from 1933-1945. Individual links related to this subject are outlined below.

Primary Topics

Protection Units

SS-Heimwehr Danzig / Danzig Polizei

SS-Leibstandarte (LAH)

SS-Sicherheitspolizei (SD)

SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT)

SS-Wachverbände

Waffen-SS

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