Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 267:
Description
Extremely Rare German WWII M18 Transitional Double Decal Police Helmet with Wire Camouflage and ChinstrapThis lot presents an extremely rare and uniquely configured historical relic: a WWI Model 1918 M18 Combat Helmet that was reissued for use by the Polizei Police during the WWII era. The M18 shell is identifiable by its distinctive cut-out flares over the ears and the large, projecting ventilation/chinstrap lugs.The helmet shell has been painted in a dark, smooth police-green finish, which has experienced heavy chipping and wear, revealing areas of underlying surface rust and base metal, creating a highly authentic, veteran aesthetic. A rare and notable feature is the presence of a field-applied wire camouflage net tightly secured over the dome, a practice sometimes utilized by police combat battalions.Crucially, this helmet retains both original, period-applied decals beneath the wire: on the wearer’s right side is the National Colors Shield decal Black, White, and Red, with the central Swastika, estimated to be approximately 70-80% intact. On the wearer’s left side is the Ordnungspolizei Eagle Decal, featuring the black shield with the silver/gold police eagle and wreathed swastika, estimated to be approximately 80% intact. The decals are visible despite the weathering and the securing wire.The interior retains a post-WWI or early WWII-era liner system, secured to the shell. The leather liner is complete, showing heavy drying, discoloration, and a darker patina consistent with years of use. The helmet retains its brown leather chinstrap which utilizes the M18-style lugs for attachment via a period aluminum clip/bail system, a hallmark of these rare transitional police helmets. The chinstrap is complete with its aluminum buckle and shows appropriate aging.This M18 helmet is a premium, multi-layered collectible, valued for its WWI transitional shell, the rare Double Decal Police configuration, and the seldom-seen addition of a combat wire camouflage net.
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