Interesting "half-shell" modified Luftschutz Helmet

[RobertE]

This is a strange one. It looks like a Luftschutz gladiator-type helmet that never had the skirt attached, fitted with a WWI liner system. I though it might be a beaded M40 style civic type, cut down, but the salt shaker vents are just visible which ruled that out for me.

Anyway, I have seen a number of captured foreign helmets pressed into Luftschutz service, but this has a kinda cool profile for one of these types. Anyone else have anything like this?

regards, Robert

[theodore giles]

I owned one identical to this the person who sold it told me that it was used in rescue work in bombed buildings.dont know if this is true.

[Panzerfaust6]

It's a normal Luftschutz "Gladiator III" helmet, with Luftschutz liner, the front and rear skirt were removed (the helmet is a 3-piece construction). Maybe someone wanted a bike helmet after the war and didn't finish it, just IMO.
A.

[RobertE]

Very interesting that you have owned one in this configuration, Theodore. The Luftschutz role in rescue operations certainly required a hardhat, no question! Do you know if it was a bring-back?

PF6, I don't think that this helmet was cut down to this state, mainly because these helmets were painted after assembly and this one has paint where the crimps would be. The liner is not a standard Luftschutz one, though. They are typically made in a different style from lower grade leather or various forms of cloth/man-made material. The liner in this one would have come from a WWI combat helmet, which to me is interesting. The helmet does have a certain "motorcycle rider" look though, I'll give you that.

Lots of WWI liners were removed from WWI helmets when they were refurbished and reissued in the 1930's for combat forces. I am guessing these liners were pressed into service later in the war for civic/non-army types, and given the increasing need to outfit search and rescue units when the bombing got became more intense they may have started pulling damaged or incomplete helmets from the recycle pit. Like this half shell - who knows?

s/f Robert

[theodore giles]

The helmet I owned had a late war cloth liner and plastic chinstrap and it was found in Holland.dont think a biker will go to the trouble to cut down a cool looking Luftschutz helmet.

[theodore giles]

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Still from the movie surf nazis must die

[RobertE]

Thanks for the info on the liner set-up. AND the super-cool snap from the movie.

s/f Robert

[Paul.B.]

It's a normal Luftschutz "Gladiator III" helmet, with Luftschutz liner, the front and rear skirt were removed (the helmet is a 3-piece construction). Maybe someone wanted a bike helmet after the war and didn't finish it, just IMO.
A.

That is the only explanation, it's obvious.

[HAF]

liner looks like ww1 parts used

[RobertE]

That is the only explanation, it's obvious.

One thing I have learned in collecting is that there is rarely one explanation for an anomaly.

If someone cut this down, then the raw edge and the area inside the crimp would not have Luftschutz blue paint. But maybe the guy owned a paint shop - it could have been cut down post war and maybe he didn't believe in chinstraps to keep it on his head!

Anyway, thanks for looking.

regards, Robert

[Panzerfaust6]

One thing I have learned in collecting is that there is rarely one explanation for an anomaly.

If someone cut this down, then the raw edge and the area inside the crimp would not have Luftschutz blue paint. But maybe the guy owned a paint shop - it could have been cut down post war and maybe he didn't believe in chinstraps to keep it on his head!

Anyway, thanks for looking.

regards, Robert

I had a LS helmet with such a liner, and thougt, it's one of many variations of liners. The chinstraps were riveted to the liner band and are in some cases torn off. I have seen many types of military helmets turn into something "more useful" and so my first thougt was a postwar remake. Anyways, if it's, like you say, i believe you and congratulate to this piece.
PzF6

[Paul.B.]

One thing I have learned in collecting is that there is rarely one explanation for an anomaly.

If someone cut this down, then the raw edge and the area inside the crimp would not have Luftschutz blue paint. But maybe the guy owned a paint shop - it could have been cut down post war and maybe he didn't believe in chinstraps to keep it on his head!

Anyway, thanks for looking.

regards, Robert

No one cut it down Robert that is what the shell looks like before the front and rear brim are added as the parts are painted before assembly,

[RobertE]

Completely agree it was made like this Paul, and thank you. I didn't know they painted the individual components first; I saw one of these years ago "in the white" that came back that way - the apron and front decals were also absent. The application of a liner/rivets/ and a decal indicate to me that this helmet was "completed".

s/f Robert

[Paul.B.]

Completely agree it was made like this Paul, and thank you. I didn't know they painted the individual components first; I saw one of these years ago "in the white" that came back that way - the apron and front decals were also absent. The application of a liner/rivets/ and a decal indicate to me that this helmet was "completed".

s/f Robert

No worries at all Robert I was also a bit stumped when I saw one of these without the visors attached 20 years ago, The guy was selling it as a para helmet.