Help on German Helmet! :) 1939

**nickswalker** · 02-14-2019, 01:25 AM

Hey all!
this is my first post so thank you to any and all help!
I recieved this beautiful German Helmet as well as a Canadian one from my grandfather. I will start with the German one however. I believe it is an M40, 1939 (as marked by the leather maker on the chin strap), and I think it is possibly a kreigsmarine Helmet as there is clearly a badge removed from the other side, I assume it was a tri colour? The Helmet is an ET64 in size and is number 4207. The main question I have is the Lepsien on the leather, is that a name? Ive ben trying to find info with no avail. If anyone has any info, on either the helmet or the name id be so very happy!
Thank you all so much and best wishes from Canada

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 02-14-2019 01:25 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**real steel** · 02-14-2019, 01:33 AM

The helmet is a 1939 made M35 that very well could be a KM. Nat. decal removed which is often seen on these. Can you read a dome stamp ? Need close up of decal in full, clear detail to confirm it is KM. Also...the strap looks original..is it maker marked & dated Loberg 1939 ?
D

**BrodieBartfast** · 02-14-2019, 01:34 AM

The tricolour decals were placed on all helmets until 1940, when they were removed for camouflage purposes. The tricolour was no longer placed on new helmets, and many helmets that already had the decals had them scraped off or painted over. If the vent holes are stamped, it's an M40. If they are made up of separate riveted pieces, it's an M35. The name on the liner would indeed be the owner's surname.

I'm unable to help any further, as I'm still very much a novice in the area of helmet collecting. I expect our resident helmet boffins will want close-up, straight-on pictures of the decal to aid in authentication. From my perspective, it looks like a good Kriegsmarine helmet.

EDIT: One of WRF's resident helmet gurus beat me to the punch!

Regards, B.B.

**real steel** · 02-14-2019, 01:38 AM

Well B.B.
Seems IMO you are "spot on" with your analysis of this helmet.
D

**nickswalker** · 02-14-2019, 02:05 AM

Thanks so much for the help! And yes, the strap stamp says G. Schielle Luburg 1939. I included a close up of the logo as well as the stamp in the middle which I believe says 56? I hope these pictures are good enough, my phone camera is the only one i have.
Thanks again for all your help

!

**real steel** · 02-14-2019, 03:35 AM

It's a good KM. The "Loberg" strap 1939 dated is often seen on the M35 KM helmets. They held a large contract with the ET M35 KM helmets, similar to the "R. Larsen 1938" we frequently see on M35 NS police helmets of 1938 vintage. One can also observe the "stacking" of the gold eagle over the black field.

Good for you, the decal damage is annoying & a liability, but at least it is a good one
D.

**MAP** · 02-14-2019, 04:16 AM

Overall a very nice helmet but as David says, too bad the damage to the decal.

I don't know if it is just me, but it seems like KM decals chip like this more often then their Heer equivalents.....

**HoundsTooth** · 02-14-2019, 09:19 AM

Really nice helmet - the paint and liner are superb. A bit annoying on the decal, but at least it's a good KM.
Nick

**BlackCat1982** · 02-14-2019, 10:32 AM

Very nice helmet. We cannot say what happened to the owner, we can only surmise.

However for your thoughts there were 13 Lepsien named individuals on the Volksbund database. However only one with a clearly KM rank.

Nachname:Lepsien
Vorname:Kurt
Dienstgrad:Matrose
Geburtsdatum:31.01.1916
Todes-/Vermisstendatum:07.03.1943