December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 172:
Description
This lot features an exceptional and historically significant artifact: a German Model 1938 M38 Fallschirmjager Paratrooper Helmet, an instantly recognizable and iconic piece of World War II German headgear. The M38 model is distinguished by its lack of a flared rim and the specialized twelve-hole ventilation/lining system, which is secured by three early-style slotted steel bolts. The helmet shell retains its original dark field gray-green finish, and it is configured as an Early War, Single Decal SD variant. The faint yet clearly visible outline of the Luftwaffe Eagle decal is present on the left side, showing appropriate wear and scuffing that confirms its combat-used authenticity. LOT 5039…Maker and Size ET66. The straps are damaged and broken.
The interior of this helmet is particularly valuable for collectors. The specialized Fallschirmjager rubber/cork cushioning pads are present, securely holding the original leather liner. The liner is fully stamped with key production information, including the head size Gr. 55 and the steel helmet size Gr. 66. Furthermore, the liner clearly shows the designer stamp -Baumuster: Heisler, Berlin C2- and the manufacturer mark -Hersteller: F. W. Mller jr.- While the helmet shell features manufacturer and lot number stamps, they are often difficult to read beneath the liner band but are present. The chinstrap harness is original, consisting of the correct four-point dark leather system, but it displays heavy use and age, including significant tears and separation, particularly near the buckle and attachment points. Despite the damage to the harness, the overall authenticity and completeness of the liner system are vital.
This early M38 Paratrooper helmet is highly sought after by collectors for its recognizable design, its early-war single decal status, the presence of the original early slotted bolts, and the valuable, legible factory and sizing stamps inside the liner.
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