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.
The modern German helmet saw its birth during World War One. Its design was so advanced
for the time that the German government saw it fit for the same basic design to be re-employed
during World War Two.
The German helmet of World Wat Two has become one of the most recognizable silhouttes of war.
The helmetss of the Third Reich came in a variety of designs. There were approximatelly
9 different types developed. Even the non-military helmets often displayed the
swastika as a means to show support of the Nazi party. The helmet was constructed of a
combination of metal and leather.
|
|
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.
|