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Many people
seeking information on German helmets are not familiar with the
variety of combat helmet shells that were manufactured during World
War II. Principally speaking, there were only three helmet
combat styles1 (or models) manufactured from 1935 through
1945. While World War I helmets were used during the transition
years prior to the advent of the Second World War, Germany only
produced three helmet models generally considered a direct result of
the growth of the German Armed Forces (Deutsche Wehrmacht).
The M1935
Helmet: The M1935 helmet was first prototyped in 1934 with
final approval for its use being granted by the Supreme Commander of
the Army on 25 June 1935. Compared to a World War I German
helmet, the M1935 was more compact, lighter in weight, and more
comfortable to wear. The helmet featured air vents made of
separately inserted hollow steel rivets. The edge of the helmet
was turned under or "rolled" on the undersides. The shells were
distinctly more oval in shape from front to back when compared to the
M1940 helmet.
The M1940
Helmet: The M1940 helmet was produced out of improved
manganese-silicon steel through a process of hot stamping the metal.
Like the M1935, the edges of the helmet were rolled under creating a
smooth edge around the circumference of the helmet. The primary
difference between the M1940 and the M1935 is in the shape of the air
vents. The air vents on the M1940 helmet were
stamped directly
into the steel.
The M1942
Helmet: The modification to the wartime helmet took place on
6 July 1942. As part of an overall restructuring of the
industrial assembly of wartime material, the steel helmet's edges were
no longer required to be rolled under. This produced a sharp
edge all around the helmet including a more pronounced overall shape.
The M1942 remained identical to the M1940 helmet save for this
feature. This helmet is often referred to as the M1943 within
some collecting circles located within the United Kingdom.
Notes:
1 A
number of collectors maintain that there is a fourth version of the
World War II German combat helmet that was produced very late in the
war. Collectors of this mindset have designated this helmet the
M1945. The M1945 is identical to the M1942 save for the fact
that it has no air vents whatsoever. All examples of this helmet
have been positively identified as wartime shells marked by the firm
of Eisenhüttenwerke in Thale. All of the shells appear to be
size 66cm. In theory, such a helmet could exist, however close
examination of several helmets indicated that they were postwar
repainted shells that were never completed by the factory. These
shells were modified in many different ways including the application
of both rare and common decal insignia, camouflage, and various paint
schemes. No evidence for their existence has ever been
documented by German sources. Their recent appearance (1980's) into
the collecting market strongly indicates that they are nothing more than
reproductions. |
