*German, WW2, M35 ET62 Heer Combat Helmet, Early First-Sequence Production with Wartime Camouflage Reissue - Lot 1303, Original Aluminium Liner*
A scarce and highly desirable early-production German M35 Heer helmet, manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerke, Thale (ET), faintly marked ET62 for shell size 62. The rear skirt bears the lot number 1303, though the final digit is double-struck, giving the misleading impression of 13033. ET did not use five-digit lots in this period; the correct lot is 1303, placing the helmet firmly in ET’s first 2,000 helmets ever produced (July–Autumn 1935).
When new, this helmet would have left the factory in smooth apple green with two decals (national tricolour and Heer eagle), as all 1935 production helmets did. The interior still shows traces of the original factory paint, while the exterior now carries a dark field-applied camouflage repaint. During this process, the decals were removed or painted out in line with regulations issued from 1940 onwards.
Inside, the helmet retains its period aluminium liner, size-marked 62/55. The liner is of the strengthened aluminium type introduced in 1937, with square chinstrap bales, fitted when the helmet was reissued. The size marks correspond exactly to the shell (ET62), confirming the liner is correct to the helmet. The liner leather is of the proper 8-tongue pattern with round ventilation holes, complete with its cord drawstring and felt backing pad. The leather shows dryness, cracking, and splits from service use but remains firmly seated.
This example therefore shows the full life-cycle of an M35: produced in 1935 as a double-decal, later reissued around 1940 with camo paint, decal removal, and an updated liner, continuing in combat service for the remainder of the war.
Historical Note:
The M35 Stahlhelm was introduced in 1935 to replace the old WWI-era M16/M18 helmets. Early examples like this one were finished in smooth apple green and bore two decals: the national tricolour on the right and the Heer eagle on the left. On 21 March 1940, the OKW ordered the removal or overpainting of the national tricolour, followed in 1943 by the discontinuation of the Heer eagle. Helmets already in service were therefore recalled or reissued, with decals removed and camouflage paint applied. At the same time, many early shells were retrofitted with updated liners, replacing the fragile first-type aluminium bands.
Eisenhüttenwerke, Thale (ET) was one of the largest helmet producers of the Third Reich, with production beginning in July 1935. Located in the Harz region, ET was the first factory to begin large-scale manufacture of the new M35 helmet, and its early lot numbers (1–2000) represent some of the very first Wehrmacht issue helmets. ET’s helmets are typically well-finished and the firm remained a major supplier throughout the war, later redesignated ckl in 1943.
This helmet is a textbook case: produced in 1935 as one of the very first ET helmets, later overhauled and reissued in line with wartime orders. Few helmets survive today that so clearly demonstrate this transition from early parade finish to late-war camouflage veteran.
*Condition*
The helmet is structurally solid, showing honest service wear throughout. The exterior bears a dark field-applied camouflage finish, aged and patinated, with areas of loss revealing the original apple green beneath. Decals have been removed or painted over in accordance with regulations. One liner rivet is missing, but the others remain intact. The aluminium liner band, stamped 62/55, is correct to the helmet, with leather complete but heavily worn, brittle, and split in places. The felt backing pad remains. Chinstrap absent. Overall, a rare early-production shell with genuine wartime reissue features. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
