Model 1935 DD KM Helmet

[CBSPERRY]

Hi everyone. I am not a frequent flier to this area as I normally collect GD and Schnelltruppen cloth and awards but I had a really tough time laying off this one so I didn't. I wanted to garner some opinions as I just put this piece on hold. It comes from Bill Shea and it looks to be one of the nicer ones I have seen as far as condition. Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thankyou everyone.

Chris.

[CBSPERRY]

Here is the opposite side

[CBSPERRY]

liner shot

[Rich G]

Great helmet, but it could be a toned heer.

Rich

[CBSPERRY]

Thanks Gordon your opinion as always carries weight with me. Yeah thats always a possibility I am aware of that pesky laquer potential problem I am posting a close up of the eagle. It looks to me to be KM. Not that I claim expertise

[Rich G]

I'm only thinking out load. I'm certainly no expert on these and have only started collecting helmets seriously over the past year, but if you check out some recent KM helmet threads you can see how photos are not always conclusive when trying to determine KM over toned Heer.

I'll leave others, who are experts, to give you their verdict and I hope that they confirm that it is KM.
I'll conclude with I wish I had such a nice helmet in my collection!

Rich

[Ty Smith]

Definitely a very nice KM. No doubts. A very nice untouched helmet. I noticed it on Bill's site earlier. You'll have no problems with Bill, he's one of the best. I would love to have this one. I would have snatched it if I wasn't saving up for another SS.
Nice Pick
-Ty

[Edelweiss]

Ty is absolutely right, this KM decal can be recognised even blindfolded. The gold tone is very deep here, no mistake possible.

BUT, I'd like to ask another question. I know, as everybody here, that nice DD M.35s are scarce and always high priced. I noticed this helmet some time ago, too ; it's not my intention to discuss Bill's prices here, but I won't hide the fact that I falled down my chair when I saw it... The price was (and is still) public, so I think I can ask if KM DDs helmets are at this point rare compared to their WH counterparts ?

[Ty Smith]

I think the prices depends on the flavor of the month. Price getting up there close to a double decal SS. I feel like I should have bought one long ago. I'm still looking.

[Perry Floyd]

It's definately a KM decal, nice deep/gold just like I like them...
The M35DD KM is more rare than a M35DD WSS, M35DD Heer, M35DD Luft., it is speculated that somewhere between 25,000-30,000 M35DD KM helmets were made like this...
Let me comment on it's price...
If you want a M35DD KM helmet that falls into a catagory that I call "The Best or Upper Crust" it will cost you $4,200. Collectors that seek this catagory of helmet will pay it because they want the best...

[Ty Smith]

Perry, I wonder of the 30,000 how many actually exist today? How does this compare to Double decal WSS helmets, How many were produced, how many exist?

[Perry Floyd]

Not sure...Many SS helmets were produced especially M40/42 but few survived. Alot of SS headgear was destroyed/defaced near wars end and for a few years thereafter. Most of the unscrewed with SS stuff is here today because it was taken and sent home while the war was still going on. You didn't want anything SS on you at wars end...

[CBSPERRY]

I appreciate everyone's response in this thread and thank you for the experts who have responded. I have been dealing with Bill for a few months now and have been fortunate to get some nice pieces from him. As Ty has said I have never had a doubt that I was getting what was for me exactly what I had hoped for. One of the reasons for my posting was that this is a step out of my comfort zone and I am thankful to everyone who has offered his experience to me.

As to price yes this was not an inexpensive piece. My thoughts on this are probably best exemplified in what Perry has posted. I desired a piece that I was not going to be able to upgrade very much and that was rare this by the way is my first helmet acquisition. Much of the direction my collection is taking has been influenced by the posts here in this forum. I try to absorb what seem to be the best pieces learn who to deal with and go from there. My background necessitates I am a research hound rather than satisfied by instant gratification and I take to heart the postings of people that I have learned to respect their knowledge and opinions out here. Yes its an expensive piece and fortunately I have an understanding wife a decent source of income and no children so that I can acquire very nice things. However, that being said I respect everyone's opinion and admire everyone that is genuine to this hobby whether they are collecting Knights crosses or Eastern front medals.

[william r match]

CBSPerry,

Beautiful early M35 Kriegsmarine, congratulations. A very attractive solid gold tone and the perculiar feature of a 3D affect around the outline of the adler. Not all KMs have this affect so again this makes it more collectable. Personally I favour this type of decal in a KM as it stands out from the norm.

As you rightly said it will be very difficult to better this example therefore it is always going to be a good investment.

Enjoy.



Regards,

Billy

[Perry Floyd]

Here's one without the ridge for reference....