Helmet – M35 – ET62 – Three tone “Normandy” camouflage
Arguably the helmet was the most recognizable part of the individual German soldiers appearance. With a design that derived from the type used in world war one, the German helmet offered more protection then ones used by it’s enemies. The quality field gray painted steel helmet with two decals and rolled steel rim and leather liner was a labor intensive product and simplified as the war progressed. The earliest model helmet used in world war two was the model 35 or M35 Stahlhelm. During the war the helmet was simplified in 2 stages. In 1940 the airvents changed from separate rivets affixed to the helmet shell to stamped in the main body of the shell. In 1942 a new model was introduced where the rim of the shell was left sharp and not rolled over as previous models. These models are known in the collector community as M40 and M42. The low sides that protect the neck and ears, the tell tale design that the Germans introduced in 1935 can still be seen in modern day army helmets.
Model: M35
Decal: Double decal
Paint:
1. Factory applied smooth apple green gray paint with one Heer and one national insignia decal.
2. A spray painted three tone so called Normandy camouflage.
Chinstrap:
Markings: ET62 – 3510
Maker: Eisenhüttenwerke, Thale.
Size: Shellsize 62, headsize 54 cm
Batch number: 3510
Year: –
Notes: A very nice original M35 helmet with Normandy camouflage. The helmet retains up to 80% of it’s normandy camouflage and under that apple green paint with two Heer Decals. The helmet is marked ET62 and 3510 in the back. The liner is a size 54 and the original chinstrap is still attached to the helmet. Sadly the chinstrap is broken but original to the helmet. The helmet is nicely named to Nirklaus. On the back of the helmet a painted white line can be seen painted emerging from under the camouflage paint. In my opinion this is a tactical marking for a NCO.
