Helmet – M35 – SE64 – Single decal Kriegsmarine
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 Kriegsmarine (navy)
Decal: Kriegsmarine
Paint:
1. Factory applied dull field gray or Feldgrau gray paint with rough aluminium oxide with a factory applied Kriegsmarine decal.
2. Remnants of whitewash
Markings: SE64 4831
Maker: Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G.
Size: Shellsize 64, headsize 56 cm
Batch number: 4831
Notes: The helmet still retains most of its wartime paint and a very large portion of the golden Kriegsmarinedecal. The helmet is nicely named to G Diekmann in the rim of the shell, a name label on the liner and written with pencil on the leather. The helmet is marked SE64 indicating production by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. .The helmet still retains its original chinstrap which is nicely maker marked and dated 1942. Around the rivets on the helmets you can still see the remains of a period whitewash.
