Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and somewhat rare genuine steel construction M35 "Beaded" Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII civic police issue. These helmets were essentially like the Military issue, however the steel was not as high quality. They were given a "bead" around the edge, to avoid mixing them up with the military version.
The helmet features genuine double decals of the Police Civic Eagle and NSDAP swas shield, which show wear and flaking due to service. Comes with complete 57 marked leather liner with the cork washers and all three split pins still intact. The liner does have some wear around the edge, but it is still supple. The top tie strap is completely missing, however the leather chin strap is in great shape.
The liner itself is marked Alois Schindler II Zug, which is the owners name and station, probably for the "II Train." The name SCHINDLER is also written in white paint on the rear skirt. Definitely some research potential here!
The rear interior of the apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size: N.S.64, indicating it was manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany. It is also marked with lot number D138 on the maker marking. Size 64 shells are a nice medium size, and can accommodate size 56 and 57 liners. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. To add a bit if interest, there is a stamping crease on the rear skirt, something rarely seen.
The exterior of this German helmet retains almost all of the original paint, with some small chips and scratches. The paint however is dark blue, and we can see the remnants of a large eagle decal on the front of the helmet, which was removed during service. This means that this helmet almost certainly was first issued to the Luftschutz, and then had the decal removed for further use. In the later years of war it was common to repurpose helmets as needed, as Allied bombing had destroyed Germany's industrial capacity.
Overall a great opportunity to get a truly excellent example of a German WWII Beaded M35 Civic helmet, used by the Luftschutz and then by the Civic Police. Ready to display!
