M35 DD Luftwaffe

**MD Helmets** · 09-26-2011, 10:53 PM

Posting a few pics of an M35 DD Luftwaffe helmet I picked up at an auction a few months ago. Came from an estate auction for a vet. Supposedly he took it off of a Flak Gunner in Cherbourg, France. Soliciting opinions on authenticity and value. It's an ET66, Lot # 3652. Chinstrap looks like a WUPPERTAL E. dated 1937, and is also stamped marked LBA. Reinforced liner bands dated 1938, square chinstrap bales. The decals appear to have been painted over in a rough textured paint and some of the decals have been lost and what remains shows in relief from under the textured paint. Looks to be a first pattern Luftwaffe eagle. Several small areas of textured paint remain on the exterior. Interior retains smooth paint. Couldn't find an acceptance stamp but the dome has a layer of dirt and soot. Split pins are loose but don't appear to have been removed or replaced. The liner has a handwritten name "Rich Hammend" Don't know who he is or his relation to the helmet. What are ya'll thoughts? Value? Thanks!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-26-2011 10:53 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Dean** · 09-27-2011, 01:28 AM

Very nice! Gotta love those Luft lids!
~Dean

**Walkwolf** · 09-27-2011, 01:32 AM

Nice lid.......................!

**ObKrieger** · 09-27-2011, 02:22 PM

Looks like a textbook double decal Luftwaffe M35 to me. I don't think the decals have been liberated. I think it's just natural wear.

I would expect to see a helmet like this sell for perhaps $900-$1,100, perhaps more if you can prove the vet provenance. Then again I don't recall seeing a DD LW M35 for sale for some time, not that they are rare, but just because I ten to only look for helmets that I can afford.

**Glenn66** · 09-27-2011, 03:56 PM

Nice looking lid. If I was buying I would be thinking $800 for this baby.

**SteveR** · 09-27-2011, 09:58 PM

Nice honest helmet.

**MD Helmets** · 09-28-2011, 12:17 AM

Thanks for the kind remarks on my purchase. The hammer price at the auction was $525, plus the buyer's premium (which isn't cool) made it about $614 total. I suppose not a bad price for this type of helmet.

ObKrieger: I agree with you, I think the rough textured paint was applied in the field and wore off over time, never being repaired by the soldier. I see no evidence of scraping or forced removal of the paint as I have seen on other helmets. Factory mint condition helmets are great, but, in my opinion, they just can't touch a true battle worn helmet!

**thefight** · 09-28-2011, 12:21 AM

I think that is a very good price, I recently got a M35 DD LW made a little later than yours for $750. The decals are a little more intact but yours has very nice character (and also a chinstrap).

Alec