Luftwaffe Parade Helmet

[Mike H]

A just purchased a piece I have been looking for a very long time --- a double decal, aluminum Luftwaffe parade helmet. Actually, I had a choice of two from the dealer this one came from --- the aluminum model and a "fibre-helm" version by EREL. I preferred this one.

The aluminum is very soft and the helmet also features a different sort of chinstrap clasp arrangement. The condition of the helmet is mint and comes out of an old collection.

Comments are welcome. The photos are not the best but I tried natural light to show the color of the helmet at its best and enhanced it a bit with Adobe Photoshop.

As you can also see, it is a size 57 1/2 --- marked in the inside dome of the helmet in pencil.

Mike Heuer

[Mike H]

Other side ..

The other side of the helmet with eagle.

[Mike H]

Eagle closeup

A closeup of the Luftwaffe eagle.

Mike

[Mike H]

And the shield ...

The shield.

Mike

[Mike H]

Interior

A shot of the interior.

Mike

[Mike H]

And another ...

Interior again.

Mike

[Mike H]

Chinstrap

Closeup of the chinstrap and buckle arrangement. Pretty cool. I don't know why these were different than the normal combat helmets but they always seem to be.

Mike

[Perry Floyd]

Nice, these were different because everything on these are for looks and comfort. Some are fancer than yours.

[Mike H]

Request ...

Perry,

Thanks for the comments. This one is a beauty and I am happy to have it in my collection. As you said, it was all for looks and comfort though I find it interesting that the chinstrap would be so different in appearance from a standard helmet and which would be immediately obvious when the troops were on parade.

How about some more photos of these parade helmets? I looked for this one for over 10 years --- but I know there has to be more out there. Though I have seen them from time to time on European websites, I was never happy until I saw this one.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Perry Floyd]

The chinstrap was a quick release type, just made for comfort like mentioned. Some are outright ugly, depending on the maker. You have a nice one...
Ever see a SS one???
How about a KM one??

[Mike H]

Others ...

Perry,

I have not seen the others you mention but would like to and would hope there would be some more posts here with photos.

I failed to mention that my helmet above is the same one that is featured on the upper part of page 169 of the Ludwig Baer book, "The History of the German Steel Helmet". The other parade helmet on that page, attributed to the George Petersen collection, is still available from George for anyone interested.

Mike

[Perry Floyd]

That's neat it was in the Baer book, good providence, I've seen lightweight-parade SS helmets in photo's and a local dealer around here picked up one at the Max a few years back (didn't see it first hand) but that's about it, very rare I would say..
I've never seen a KM...picture or heard of one by word of mouth...

[Rich G]

Mike,

Fascinating helmet. I've only see the one in the Baer book and as this is the one there then that must give you quite an inner glow seeing your helmet in print!

What has happened to the damaged parts of the liner? Has it been muched by some hungry bugs or is it just torn?


Either way... grrrrrrrrreat lid!

Rich

[Mike H]

Munches

Rich,

I think something munched a little on the liner ... perhaps a small rodent. It's hard to tell. But other than that, the liner is mint.

These parade helmets always appealed to me and this one, being in the textbook, is even more special. As I mentioned, the EREL helmet which is also on that page is still for sale by George Petersen.

Thanks for the compliments,

Mike