Interwar ET M18 Style Double Decal Police Helmet with EARLY Titled Tricolor and Thin Mobile Swastika

[helmet2id]

This one is an early Police helmet, on an interwar commercial M18 style ET shell, left ear stamped ET64 with the reclining lion seen on interwar ET shells beneath the maker/size stamp. Beneath lion is the D.R.P. Stamp, which I believe designated something to the effect of “patent pending.” To the right of the lion is the number “8”. Is that a lot number? Anyway, the piece is complete with an excellent commercial liner and carbine clip chin strap assembly. The leather is neatly named. The liner pins have those thick plastic (?) spacers between the rivet heads and the shell seen on interwar ET manufactured or reworked shells. The shell was at some point brush repainted gloss black. The most interesting features of this helmet are the tilted pointed early tricolor decal and the skinny mobile swastika decal. Well, here it is. Hope you like it. Jim G.

[helmet2id]

I just saw that I posted this one in 2017. Sorry about that. The pictures I took today are a little bit better so I guess it's okay. Jim G.

[TheGoon]

Very nice Jim, it's a very early one indeed.

[BlackCat1982]

Just not one that collectors see every day. I'm pleased you gave this one an encore Jim.

[AndyM35]

A fantastic early police helmet Jim! I love it! All complete and I must say I think Imperial steel helmets look great in satin black paint! Quite a rare beast too considering the multiple decal updates these helmets went through following the seizure of power by the National Socialists. The size and style of the decals on this example would I believe date it to between April and July 1934. After July, larger mobile swaz and more regular national shield were applied. Your swaz appears the be the smaller early one and smaller nation shield with pointed bottom. Amazing to have a piece that fits into such a narrow time frame.

Yes, DRP is a patent stamp and stands for Deutches Reichs Patent. Incidentally, I have an officers Pickelhaube cover with a black DRP stamp in the front. I assume paint is covering any lot number in the dome? Or perhaps being a commercial style helmet, the number 8 is indeed a lot number and these were stamped in the sides? What style of liner band and any markings?

Thanks for giving this one the spotlight once again.
Andy