Pickelhaube. Prussian Spike Helmet.M1896. WWI Era.
WWI German bullet proof trench shield
WW1 ET64 M18 German Helmet Camo Ear Cut Out (Restored)
WWI M16 German Helmet.
German M18 Helmet, reproduction.
Army Twin Decals Transitional Austrian Helmet. Restored.
Left: M35 field-green color. Semi-relic state. East-Front. Right: M42 Stalhelm with chicken-wire net. Waffens. East Front. Relic State.
M35 (Heer), with apple green or red green color. Semi-relic state.
ET 64 M35 German Helmet Double Decal Luftwaffe.
Left: M31 german aluminum liner. Right: German helmet leather belt, band strap.
M35 German Helmet with Chicken Wire.
M42 w/bread bag strap attached.
ET and cKL German Helmets. Size 64 - 66 - 68.
M38. "Luftschutz, Gladiator Helmet. Civil Defence.
M34 German Helmet. Civil Defence.
Late War German M35 - 40 Beaded Helmet.
WWII, German Gas Mask Cannisters. Marking with a diamond shape with "ESCHEBACH" written 1938 (Eschebach Werke Logo), Frn42 and Eph 43.
ET68 Eisenhuttenwerk Thale Heer Double Decal German Helmet East Front Relic
EF66 Emaillerwerke A.G Fulda M35 DD German Helmet.
Relic M35 DD SE66 Sachsische emailler und stanzwerke A.G. Lauter
M40 Single Decal German Helmet. F.W Esslingen Q64 (Ex-Fire Department).
HKP66 (SE) German Helmet Sächsische emailler und stanzwerke A.G. / Lauter
Post War Finnish Reissued.
M35 German Helmet ET64 (GI Veteran Trophy).
M42 German Helmet, Huge shell size, ckl 68.
Left: M42 German Helmet size 68. Right Relic M40 German Helmet size 62.
Early M35 NS E6, Unrestored German Helmet with new liner and M42 CKL Refurbished. Both shells in size 66.
Qvl66 (Unknown German M42 Helmet Marker)
CKL 66 M42 German Helmet Eisenhüttenwerk Thale / Herz
Original M42 ventless German Helmet.
Original M44 liner system, in a late war M42 ventless. Excellent example. Very rare and hard to find.
Recommended read:The History of the German Steel Helmet by Ludwig Baer.
Late War Replicas of WW2 German Experimental Prototypes.
Replica M44 pattern German helmet liner and late war chinstrap.
RECOMMENDED BOOK: LATE WAR HELMETS OF THE THIRD REICH THALE BRIAN ICE
The model "BII" was adopted by DDR known as M56 East German helmet with the type-33 Becker chinstrap system. The first type DDR M56 also had the M44 prototype liner but modified with different location and type of rivets. System similar to the metal band of the Soviet Ssh39 and the German M31 leather band.
The model "A" was a slightly modified Stahlhelm 35. It could have been the same M42, as it was a slight modification of the M35.
The M56 ("Gerät 604") designer was Heinrich Hänsel (The designer of the prototypes "A"."B""BII." C"). The chief engineer of this project was Erich Kisan, who was the designer of the "Thale" protoype (Or "B" modified).
The model "A" was a slightly modified Stahlhelm 35. It could have been the same M42, as it was a slight modification of the M35.
The M56 ("Gerät 604") designer was Heinrich Hänsel (The designer of the prototypes "A"."B""BII." C"). The chief engineer of this project was Erich Kisan, who was the designer of the "Thale" protoype (Or "B" modified).
This photo shows a replica of a German experimental helmet shell from WWII. It is called "Thale" (Factory) Prototype German Helmet.
The prototype "Thale" was something similar* to the prototype "B" but this had the three split pins of the M35 (with the M44 system liner). That one with the small rivets at the top was the prototype of the ET (Thale) Factory.
* The shape of the Thale Factory prototype was very close to the Model "B" experimental prototype, but with 3 external rivets, possibly the same system as the Ssh39 helmet also adopted in the original M56 DDR helmet and the Czech M53 helmet.
Baer in his book sheds light on what the Thale prototype could have been. Baer mentions the use of tanker, paratrooper, and talker, so it wouldn't have been uncommon for that kind of "Y" chinstrap to have been considered for this.
The prototype "Thale" was something similar* to the prototype "B" but this had the three split pins of the M35 (with the M44 system liner). That one with the small rivets at the top was the prototype of the ET (Thale) Factory.
* The shape of the Thale Factory prototype was very close to the Model "B" experimental prototype, but with 3 external rivets, possibly the same system as the Ssh39 helmet also adopted in the original M56 DDR helmet and the Czech M53 helmet.
Baer in his book sheds light on what the Thale prototype could have been. Baer mentions the use of tanker, paratrooper, and talker, so it wouldn't have been uncommon for that kind of "Y" chinstrap to have been considered for this.
In the photo above, my interpretation of the Prototype presented by the Thale factory on the right, along with my replica of the DDR "Gerät 605" Export M82 on the left. The latter was manufactured in series in the 80s for export to satellite countries or USSR allies. Despite being a modern-produced helmet, there are very few in the militaria market or in the hands of collectors. For this reason I decided to make a replica based on photographs. The shell design is a variant of the M56 (BII) but maintains the same type of Y-shape chinstrap* (Type-33, Becker system).
* Baer book, page 407. A 1933 patent shows a "Y" shaped chinstrap, very similar to the M56 model. "On 28 April 1933, Fritz Becker of Masiliustraisse 4-6, Berlin ost 27 was granted a patent of his design of a chinstrap system wich was to be used on "helmet type headgear. The rationale for his design was that existing types of chinstraps did not fully secure the helmet to the head of the wearer. It as for this reason that Becker designed a Y-shaped chinstrap system that upper branches wich passed in front od and behind each ear".
The prototype "Thale" it's kind of a missing link in the history of prototypes, but it was very important because from it the DDR M56 inherited the same liner system combining the metal band of the Ssh39 with the liner band of the German M31. The first type of DDR M56 was the BII shell with the protoypo thale liner of three small rivets holding the liner from the top of the dome (WWII Soviet SSh39, Cold War WZ52/53).
* Baer book, page 407. A 1933 patent shows a "Y" shaped chinstrap, very similar to the M56 model. "On 28 April 1933, Fritz Becker of Masiliustraisse 4-6, Berlin ost 27 was granted a patent of his design of a chinstrap system wich was to be used on "helmet type headgear. The rationale for his design was that existing types of chinstraps did not fully secure the helmet to the head of the wearer. It as for this reason that Becker designed a Y-shaped chinstrap system that upper branches wich passed in front od and behind each ear".
The prototype "Thale" it's kind of a missing link in the history of prototypes, but it was very important because from it the DDR M56 inherited the same liner system combining the metal band of the Ssh39 with the liner band of the German M31. The first type of DDR M56 was the BII shell with the protoypo thale liner of three small rivets holding the liner from the top of the dome (WWII Soviet SSh39, Cold War WZ52/53).
The impression that I had of the result, was that its form was within the models used then by the forces of the Warsaw Pact, but without external rivets in the style of the M56 / 66 of the DDR. My replica has rivets soldered inside to hook the standard liner of the M56 (Plastic - Rubber Foam - Leather).
The Thale model, according to the results of the reproduction based on Ludwig Baer's book, approaches the lines of the "B" model. Nevertheless a slight elevation in the front forms a moderate characteristic visor seen in the postwar period in the M54 "Kessler Bombe".
The M54 had a parallel development to the history of the WW2 prototypes. It was simply a steel helmet that was supposed to be the one that the DDR armed forces were going to adopt. However, its traditional form of the German helmets of the world wars was not to the liking of Soviet officials (the true masters of East Germany).
The M54 was nicknamed "Kessler Bomb", after the name of the head of the NVA at the time (Richard Kessler) and "Bomb" because of the shape. Some collectors believe that the M54 was what the protoype "A" would have been, however the M54 was a purely post-war design.
It was designed in the early 1950s by VEB Metallwarenfabrik * Suhl Thuringia and was used by KVP, East German Kasernierte Volkspolizei (KVP, Barracked People's Police) and Deutsche Volkspolizei (DVP, German People's Police).
* The name of the factory designer is not known. Their history is similar to that of the Makarov pistol in that they adopted the names of government officials and not technicians or designers.
The M54 had a parallel development to the history of the WW2 prototypes. It was simply a steel helmet that was supposed to be the one that the DDR armed forces were going to adopt. However, its traditional form of the German helmets of the world wars was not to the liking of Soviet officials (the true masters of East Germany).
The M54 was nicknamed "Kessler Bomb", after the name of the head of the NVA at the time (Richard Kessler) and "Bomb" because of the shape. Some collectors believe that the M54 was what the protoype "A" would have been, however the M54 was a purely post-war design.
It was designed in the early 1950s by VEB Metallwarenfabrik * Suhl Thuringia and was used by KVP, East German Kasernierte Volkspolizei (KVP, Barracked People's Police) and Deutsche Volkspolizei (DVP, German People's Police).
* The name of the factory designer is not known. Their history is similar to that of the Makarov pistol in that they adopted the names of government officials and not technicians or designers.
In the photo above, to the left is the liner of the Czech model M52, directly based on the German M31 liner but with the Ssh39 system. On the right is the liner of an early M56 from the DDR. This same liner system could have been similar to what would have been the prototype of the Thale factory.
During the siege of Leningrad, Ssh39 helmets appeared with leather liners similar to the Italian M33. These helmets were called "Blockadnik. " These Ssh39 helmets had the same liner system as those liners in the photo, and therefore, the system of the "Thale" prototype should have been similar .
During the siege of Leningrad, Ssh39 helmets appeared with leather liners similar to the Italian M33. These helmets were called "Blockadnik. " These Ssh39 helmets had the same liner system as those liners in the photo, and therefore, the system of the "Thale" prototype should have been similar .
WW2 Prototypes:
"A" prototype. (M42 Stahlhelm) with M44 liner.
The design was a modification of earlier Stahlhelms (M35, M40) aimed at simplifying production for mass manufacturing during World War II, specifically the removal of the rolled rim to speed up the stamping process.
The original, highly influential M35 Stahlhelm, which established the iconic shape used throughout WWII, was developed in 1934 by a team led by Dr. Friedrich Schwerd at the Eisenhüttenwerk Thale company.
Fritz was the overall director of the Eisenhüttenwerke Thale factory. He oversaw the production of the standard M35/M40/M42 helmets and the development of these experimental prototypes.
"B" and "BII" Prototypes with M44 liner.
(Designer Heinrich Hansel. Chief Adolf Fritz. Eisenwerke Thale - ET):
The "B" prototype featured a radical departure from the traditional Stahlhelm shape, adopting a much deeper, more bowl-shaped profile with a steeply sloping rear skirt and reduced side flares.
The "BII" prototype was an improvement and refinement of the initial "B" prototype and was considered the finalized and optimal version of that particular experimental design.The "B/II" prototype is historically significant because the design was resurrected after the war. Erich Kisan reused this project to create the East German M56 in the same Eisenwerke Thale - ET but under Soviet control.
"C" Prototype with M44 liner.
(Designer Heinrich Hansel. Chief Adolf Fritz. Eisenwerke Thale - ET): This variant was a less radical departure than the B/II, incorporating some of the lessons learned from earlier tests while trying to stay closer to the classic Stahlhelm profile. Documentation suggests it was another attempt to balance ballistic protection with production ease.
The Thale prototype" with Modified M44 Liner.
(Designer Erich Kisan - Eisenwerke Thale - ET):
Erich Kisan had a specific, final design (likely the "B") that he personally advocated for as the singular factory proposal, distinct from the other internal test variants. This specific proposal is what some refer to as the singular "Thale prototype".
Probably Kisan's proposal was seen as similar to prototype "B" and given the advanced stage of the project and the situation it was decided to test only prototypes "B" and "BII".
After the war, Erich Kisan and the Thale factory were instrumental in developing the post-war East German M56 helmet, which was based directly on his B/II prototype design. The M56 helmet combines the same shell from the BII prototype with the liner system that the "Thale" prototype seems to have had, and with the Y-shaped prototype type 33 (Becker system).
"A" prototype. (M42 Stahlhelm) with M44 liner.
The design was a modification of earlier Stahlhelms (M35, M40) aimed at simplifying production for mass manufacturing during World War II, specifically the removal of the rolled rim to speed up the stamping process.
The original, highly influential M35 Stahlhelm, which established the iconic shape used throughout WWII, was developed in 1934 by a team led by Dr. Friedrich Schwerd at the Eisenhüttenwerk Thale company.
Fritz was the overall director of the Eisenhüttenwerke Thale factory. He oversaw the production of the standard M35/M40/M42 helmets and the development of these experimental prototypes.
"B" and "BII" Prototypes with M44 liner.
(Designer Heinrich Hansel. Chief Adolf Fritz. Eisenwerke Thale - ET):
The "B" prototype featured a radical departure from the traditional Stahlhelm shape, adopting a much deeper, more bowl-shaped profile with a steeply sloping rear skirt and reduced side flares.
The "BII" prototype was an improvement and refinement of the initial "B" prototype and was considered the finalized and optimal version of that particular experimental design.The "B/II" prototype is historically significant because the design was resurrected after the war. Erich Kisan reused this project to create the East German M56 in the same Eisenwerke Thale - ET but under Soviet control.
"C" Prototype with M44 liner.
(Designer Heinrich Hansel. Chief Adolf Fritz. Eisenwerke Thale - ET): This variant was a less radical departure than the B/II, incorporating some of the lessons learned from earlier tests while trying to stay closer to the classic Stahlhelm profile. Documentation suggests it was another attempt to balance ballistic protection with production ease.
The Thale prototype" with Modified M44 Liner.
(Designer Erich Kisan - Eisenwerke Thale - ET):
Erich Kisan had a specific, final design (likely the "B") that he personally advocated for as the singular factory proposal, distinct from the other internal test variants. This specific proposal is what some refer to as the singular "Thale prototype".
Probably Kisan's proposal was seen as similar to prototype "B" and given the advanced stage of the project and the situation it was decided to test only prototypes "B" and "BII".
After the war, Erich Kisan and the Thale factory were instrumental in developing the post-war East German M56 helmet, which was based directly on his B/II prototype design. The M56 helmet combines the same shell from the BII prototype with the liner system that the "Thale" prototype seems to have had, and with the Y-shaped prototype type 33 (Becker system).
Photo above, my interpretation of the test liner designed by Dr Hansel, in a replica based on the photos from Baer's book.
Fallschirmjager German Paratrooper Helmet Shells. ET68 - Relic, Semi Relic Condition:
M38 Fallschirmjager late War Helmet Flared Rim.
Post War. Kitchen Strainer made from WW2 German Helmets:
Panzerschiff Admiral Graf Spee Tally Replica.
German Navy, Kaiserliche Marine, Reichmarine or Kriegsmarine.
Admiral Graf Spee ring life preserver (Original). The Admiral Graf Spee was one of the most famous German naval warships of World War II, along with the Bismarck.
