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WWII German Combat Luftschutz Helmet -
This is a German WWII Luftschutz helmet. Used by the Civil defense forces in Germany. The
Luftschutz was a civilian force who served multiple purposes. From fighting fires and
clearing debris resulting from bombing raids to being the last line of defense when Germany
was being over ran by the allied forces at the end of the war.
One interesting feature of the helmet is the large sticker in the front of the dome. It was silver
in color. Its design consisted of two spread wings with a swastika in the center.
The body of the helmet was of dark blue color.
The helmet has a leather liner. The type of leather used is cured differently from the one
employed in the combat helmets. A blue leather chin strap is provided. The strap has two
different types of buckles. A chromed buckle attaches together to secure the two sections
of the straps.
The rim of the helmet is rolled. The liner has several fingers that came together and were
secured via the use of a string. Tightening and loosening the string controls the height of
how the helmet rests in the head.
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The modern German helmet saw its birth during World War One. Its design was so advanced
for the time that the German government saw it fit for the same basic design to be re-employed
during World War Two.
The German helmet of World Wat Two has become one of the most recognizable silhouttes of war.
The helmetss of the Third Reich came in a variety of designs. There were approximatelly
9 different types developed. Even the non-military helmets often displayed the
swastika as a means to show support of the Nazi party. The helmet was constructed of a
combination of metal and leather.
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Some of the helmets have markings stamped in the inside of the rim. The markings provide information
such as the serial number, name of manufacturer, helmet size, etc. A
markings guide has been provided to help
the collector and enthusiast gain a better understanding of their meaning. It is important to
note that not all possibilities of markings are covered in that section.
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WWII German helmets are currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this headgear.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other American military headgear, you can do so by
going to our WWII German helmets
identification guide. Where we cover Army, Navy, Luftwaffe and other organizations.
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