Re-inforced Alu liner band

[Rich G]

Guys

When did the re-inforced alu liner start to appear on the M35's? I have received a well worn apple green (both decals removed though ) one today. The chin-strap appears good (marked and dated 1937) with alu fittings and square bales. (Also has a 'B' stamped between the 5th and 6th buckle hole - seen that before? Any ideas what it means?). There's no dome stamp and plently of dust between liner and shell.

The shell is marked SE62 and has a low batch number(?) of 4025 on the back skirt.

Thanks for any info

Rich

[Perry Floyd]

I had allways assumed 1938 but Larry Marcella once mention he's seen one in a '37 one I believe. But I've never seen them earlier than '38.

[william r match]

Rich,

I have an M35 DD Police combat which has an aluminium liner dated 1937, it is overlapped at the sides.

Similarly I have a DD M35 Kriegsmarine with a 1937 aluminium liner in it. However the liner is a single aluminium band and is not overlapped at the sides. This single band of aluminium is indicative of an early M35 and rarer than the usual overlapped type. Being collectors, it is always nice to get our hands on the rarer items!

Also I have the overlapped aluminium liners dated 1938, 1939 and 1940.

Regards,

Billy

[william r match]

Richard,

The 1937 date aluminium band is on the green Police combat M35 DD in the attached snap. In the process of putting it and its mate, a DD m35 Luft. on the sale stand to try and redress some outgoings!

Billy

[Rich G]

Thanks for supplying those insights. I'm more re-assured now that there are no problems regarding this helmet and liner. Initially I had thought that the re-enforced liner was a wartime amendment brought on by the rigors of combat on the liner system.

I'm trying to find the date on the liner itself but it's pretty tight and I'm trying not to damage it.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a few pics in a few days.

Cheers

Rich

[william r match]

Rich,

Best method to check this is by pulling on the chin strap gently to give you a small view down of the liner at a sharp angle. You will need a torch to read the date. It is not necessary to dismantle or abuse the lid. Bit of TLC!! Most M35s have a nice bit of play in them in any case.

The date will be over your right ear if you had the lid on.

Billy

[Rich G]

Yes, found it... 1938.

Ties in well with the date on the chin strap.

Rich

[Calvin Hall]

Rich,

My Luft DD w/ early eagle has the reinforced alum. band, and it is dated 1938.

Calvin

[Rich G]

Thanks all. Here is the helmet in question. Very worn outside but good condition inside. If only it could talk...

Rich

[Rich G]

inside

[Rich G]

ooops!

[Rich G]

Here's 'B.' marked on the chin strap. Any ideas why? The chinstrap is also marker-marked and dated at the end.

Rich

[Jerry]

Rich: I have an M35 DD Combat Police helmet with a reenforced aluminum liner band dated 1937. Shell stampings are ET64 and 3548. Hope this helps, Jerry.

[william r match]

Jerry,

The M35 DD Combat Police I posted had ET64 and batch number 3670 and was also dated 1937 on an aluminium overlapped liner. The 2 lids are not that far apart, might have passed each other in the factory!

Although not an aluminium band that overlaps, the single aluminium liner on this Police DD M35 is dated 1936. You can just about make it out on he snap. I am interested to see if others have a single aluminium liner dated earlier!!

Was waiting to see if anyone had come across a similar marking on the chin strap Rich, obviously not. Makes it all the more collectable then.

Billy

[william r match]

Rich,

By the way, nice tidy authentic M35 you got there, well done.


Billy