GERMAN WW2 M38 LUFTSCHUTZ GLADIATOR STYLE HELMET

This near mint condition Luftschutz Gladiator style helmet was recently acquired from a storage unit buyer out of southern California. The dry California heat probably helped to maintain the outside paint over the decades better than if it had been found in the north east. The LS front winged decal is pretty much near about 100% in tact and really couldn't really get much nicer. This helmet is a size 57 and has the original RM 8 which was the state price of 8 reichsmarks. The liner system is complete and the original chinstrap is still present.

Background: Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defence.

The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.

German helmet factory production codes:  

Every original German helmet produced from 1935 to 45 had two factory stampings punched into the side and rear or both in the rear.  The alpha numeric number refers to the factory location and the inside metric circumference in centimeters.  The rear lot number refers to the production run and was used as a quality control measure. The font styles used at each factory were slightly different but highly consistent throughout the war and so fakes or reproductions will either not have these numbers at all or they will use the wrong font style or letter spacing and so are easily identified as post war made.

• (FS or EF)-Emaillierwerke AG, Fulda, Germany
  (ET or ckl)-Eisenhuttenwerke, Thale, Germany
  (Q)-Quist, Esslingen, Germany
  (NS)-Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, Schwerte, Germany
  (SE or hkp)-Sachsische Emaillier u. Stanzwerke, Lauter, Germany