ORIGINAL GERMAN HELMET M35 WW2 ET 66 possibly 68 Luftwaffe air force

The marking is hard to read the last digit ET 66 or ET68 Either way it is a large. Yes, the nation insignia is hand painted (likely by a previous owner long ago). The Luftwafft eagle appears to be under the paint and someone tried to strip the paint away to uncover it.

Can't tell if the decal is original or not. The Eisenh ü ttenwerke in Thale was the largest of all helmet production facilities during World War II.

The Thale plant played a principle role in the preliminary and ongoing design of the new M1935 steel helmet that would eventually be worn by all combat troops of the German Armed Forces (Deutsche Wehrmacht). The Thale plant began producing steel helmets for the German military during World War I. In keeping with tradition, the Procurement Office of the Army and Navy awarded the Thale plant with one of two initial contracts for the production of steel helmets. Eventually three more German facilities would be added to the list of manufacturers. Thale engineers worked on the principle upgrades that modified the M1935 through various stages resulting in what is known today as the M1940 and M1942 models.

The facilities are still in operation today although they are engaged in steel manufacturing and civilian products rather than items related to the military. Many of the older factory buildings continue to be used, although many were destroyed by Allied bombing raids and then later demolished. A small museum located in Thale gives an excellent synopsis on this factory which began operation in the 1800's. Due to its size, the firm was the principle employer of German labor in the local area. The item "ORIGINAL GERMAN HELMET M35 WW2 ET 66 possibly 68 Luftwaffe air force" is in sale since Tuesday, August 08, 2017.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Germany\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "tmsss" and is located in Saint Pauls, North Carolina. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Brand: Unbranded
• MPN: Does not apply