M35DD Kriegsmarine

[Perry Floyd]

I started a topic on this quite some time ago and thought I would bring it up again. The M35DD KM was in my opinion greatly underated on the rarity scale. Some speculate only 25,000-30,000 M35DD were produced...
While many that see one automaticly (myself included)think of one used for guard duty and ship board equipment for gunner use. But not allways the case..
Here's a cool photo of German marines departing for the invasion of Norway. Notice the M35DD KM helmets, Navy Jumpers with stick grenadies, etc....

[Perry Floyd]

2

[Jean-Loup]

Perry, arent those helmets a surprisingly light color?
JL

[Perry Floyd]

No, the earlier M35DD's were of a lighter green so that would easily explain the contrast in the photo. I myself find that color more desirable..

[Donald L.]

Here is an early M35 finished in the light green parade finish. It bears a 1936 dome stamp. When I purchased this helmet from a colleague, whose father had kept it in his study since the close of the war, I thought it was a KM. It is an army with the yellowed lacquer application tinting the decal.

I know that this is a KM thread, but I just wanted to provide an example of the shade of green seen on early issue helmets.

Don

[Perry Floyd]

Right Don, that's the earlier M35DD color. Nice early Heer...
Here's a KM in the color...

[Perry Floyd]

2

[william r match]

Donald,

Another example of this light green colour on early M35s. This one is on a Combat Police DD presently winging it,s way Stateside.

Billy

[william r match]

Perry,

Your M35 appears to be more of a darker colour as opposed to the lighter examples posted. It is very similar in shade to this Police M35 but has not the lighter tone aforementioned.


Billy

[Perry Floyd]

It's the early lighter green, it's the pic as I didn't use a flash. Here's one of it showing it's true color...

[Perry Floyd]

The darker/glossy "apple green" started around '38 through the early part of '40...
Here's a pic of the later green...

[william r match]

Perry,

Unlike your nice N.C. climate that affords excellent snap opportunities, I have to wait on an overcast day to take photos that are a good representation of the piece. It tends to show it in its natural colour. I find that artificial light masks the real identity or at least unintentionally deceives the eye.

Without redress to further images if you say it is a good likeness that is good enough for me, after all you have it in front of you.

Regards,

Billy.

[Perry Floyd]

It's a '37 dated KM. Using a flas on the early M35DD's allmost allways creates glare. The first photo's are no flash inside so they're dark but show no glare. I just took the last one with alot of light to show it's true color...If it was the darker green I would have to sell it

[Jerry]

Perry: Helmet #2. KM or toned Heer?

[Perry Floyd]

It's a toned Heer...for comparison look at it's National Shield. I bought this one from the vet's son. When he called me he said it had a black, yellow and red insigna on it...