Third Party Press

THIRD REICH ERA CIVIC HELMETS

M45

Well-known member
I would like to attempt to catalogue as many TR era civic helmets as possible, including production in the occupied countries and captured enemy helmets used in TR era service.

This one arrived recently. I would call it an M34 square-dip with salt-shaker vents (extruded 7 hole vents - pressed outward). These can be seen in a variety of colors such as parade finish light green, black, Luftschutz blue, and Red Cross medium gray.

This example was painted in combat style green-gray and is associated with use by TENO or the German technical assistance organization. I understand TENO used a variety of shell styles.

The second helmet is off the net. It has a TENO stencil and the same type of liner.
 

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An example of the M34 square-dip civic with salt-shaker vents and parade finish light green paint. Rivet placement is slightly different and the extruded vents are not as pronounced as the above helmets. Also the scallop length is slightly shorter on this one.

While there were a comparatively limited number of combat shell types, there were dozens of civic types.
 

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The so-called "TENO variant" as described in Goodapple Vol.II pp.15-16, p.91. A few of these have been seen with TENO decals.
 

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The so-called "Police Variant" as described in Goodapple Vol.II pp.15-16. This example has the late war ersatz liner/strap.
 

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I have a similar helmet, somewhere. First helmet I ever bought, paid DM5 at Frankfurt flea market about 1973. It had remnants of field gray paint, but also had leather tabs similar to a fireman’s helmet to fasten a leather neck cover. It also had a chinstrap with additional strap to go around the neck and under the ears. Had a leather liner. I’ll post pics if I can locate it
 
Would like to see it.

Two late war examples, M34 curve dips.
 

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M38 Gladiator 3-piece version but probably issued late war.

No factory applied decal, late war liner made of manufactured materials. Production errors can be seen on the dome, indicating this helmet may have been factory rejected but pressed into service late in the war.
 

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My understanding of the M38 Gladiator 3-piece project was to produce these air defense helmets using smaller scrap pieces of sheet metal as an economy measure. I think it was eventually realized over the next 4 years how labor intensive it was to stamp out and hand assemble all of the parts.

The M42 gladiator was a one piece shell with Bead installed.

The M44 gladiator was a one piece shell with no bead.

Late in the war parts and pieces leftover from the M38 3-piece project were in various ways made into serviceable helmets.

This M38 dome was outfitted with a late liner/strap. Notice factory errors. Unissued. No evidence neck-guards were ever installed.
 

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This one shipped from the Czech Republic and may possibly be a locally produced model. German M34 styling but quite heavy at nearly 1 kg (998g) without liner or chinstrap - heavier than a German M16 combat shell (ET64, 947 grams).

No maker's marks.

Chinstrap lugs bolted directly to the skirts - unusual for a German civic helmet. German civic liners commonly had chinstraps riveted to the liner band, a one-piece liner/strap assembly.

For comparison is a Czech Model 30 helmet with lugs riveted directly to the shell.
 

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A Werkluftschutz helmet with rubberized cape. Luftschutz blue-gray paint, custom liner and property tag. Came from a high end Vienna collection. Possibly Austrian production.

Date on cape appears to be 1/42. Elastic band holds cape to helmet.
 

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"Battle of Berlin Gladiator", shipped from Berlin, it is comprised of a leftover bowl from the M38 gladiator 3-piece project mated to much smaller front and rear visors. Underside dome has an extra steel plate welded to the top. Chinstraps mounted to the outside of the helmet. Only 1 other known to exist. 1945 est. Partial restoration.
 

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Czech economy Gladiator. Period photo shows use in Prague with the St. Vitus Cathedral in the background.
 

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A former Q66 SD Luftschutz beaded air defense civic helmet converted to DD civic police. Very unusual decals and decal placement. May be Austrian variant police non-bordered decals.
 

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