Helmet – M35 – single decal battle damaged vet art helmet
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: Single decal Heer
Paint: Factory applied dull field gray paint
Markings: unreadable due to bullethole
Year: 1940
Notes: This helmet was brought back by Sergeant Grisdale, Royal artillery who gifted it to the owner of a hotel/pub called Crab Pot Cottage on the north east of England. After getting complains for it not being politically correct it was removed from the premises and got into collectors hands.
On the top of the helmet we can read the following town names;
Graye-sur-mer – June 1944, Courseulles, Nonant & Cargagney, St Andre,Trongy,Jerusalem, St Ledger, Basly, Mondeville, Tilly, Bretteville, Caen, Falaise Vernon, Beguet, Barba, La Fontenay-le-Marmion, Vimontie, Ailly, (R.Seine)Haringcourt, Amiens, Billy Berglaw, Lippeloo, Antwerp(Mortsel), Lierre, Averbode, Eindhoven, Haps, Boxmeer, Veghel Bridge, Gemonde, Boxtel, Schaliehoef (farm at Borgvliet, Bergen op zoom), Tilburg, Papenhoven, Diest, Nieupoort, Pindorp (Wouwse Plantage), Weert, Tegelen (Venlo), Gindericht, Appeldoorn(Rhine), Osnabruck, Luneburgh, Lauenburgh, Hamburg, Brunstorf and Wittenburg.
