WWII German M-35 SS Helmet -
The Schutzstaffel, abbreviated SS was a major Nazi organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The SS grew from a small paramilitary unit to a powerful force that served as the Führer's "Praetorian Guard," the Nazi Party's "Shield Squadron" and a force that, fielding almost a million men (both on the front lines and as political police), managed to exert as much political influence as the Wehrmacht. Built upon the Nazi ideology, the SS, under Heinrich Himmler's command, was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II, and most of the worst of those crimes.

This is a WWII German SS Double Decal helmet. With the classic pea green combat color. An M-35 style helmet with the rolled rim. The sticker in one side is of the SS insignia. The other bears the swastika on a red background.

The helmet retains the original leather liner with the aluminum ring frame. Notice that the rivets are missing. It is impossible to determine when they were removed. The wear on top of the helmet is typical of the damage derived from placing it upside down on the ground.

This view of the helmet shows the rolled edge. The leather liner has several fingers pointing towards the center. Fingers are attached via the use of a string. Tightening and loosening the string adjusts the height of how the helmet sits on the head.

This is a closer photo of the SS emblem. The angle of the lightning bolts. The placement of the sticker and the feel of the edge of the sticker provide indications of the authenticity of the helmet.

This type of helmet is very desirable and often times reproduced. The buyer must study the items carefully to make sure how to tell the difference between real and fake.