Helmet Description

The type of helmets used by the Water Protection Police (Wasserschutzpolizei) were generally of the combat type including the M1935 and M1940 models.  Little is known about additional helmet styles that might have been utilized.  One might assume that standard light weight M1934 civic model police helmets could also have been issued, but no evidence of this has survived World War II in the form of original helmet examples.  The only original examples that do in fact exist fall into the combat category.  Of those that are considered original, the distinguishing feature that makes them identifiable as Wasserschutzpolizei helmets is the fact that the decal insignia is golden in color.  The number of helmets actually produced with this gold decal is unknown.  Only a small number of original examples exist.  Given the fact that large numbers of original police helmets in other types of models exist in collections today, one can only assume that few Water Protection Police helmets with this configuration were made.  Generally speaking, if there had been more like them they probably would have survived the conflict.  Furthermore, it is highly likely that members of the Water Protection Police were issued standard police helmets to begin with.  These would have been helmets adorned with the usual silver colored police eagle.  The type of eagle insignia used on Water Protection Police helmets includes that which has a silver border and another without.  That without was first introduced for use on all police helmets on 28 July 1936.  On the same date the silver bordered version of the decal was introduced for use on Fire Protection (Feuerwehr) helmets.  The latter with its border was intended to assist in highlighting the insignia when it appeared against the black finish of the fire helmets.

The M1935 Water Protection Police Helmet with Unbordered Eagle

The M1940 Water Protection Police Helmet with Bordered Eagle