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(931) 537-9165

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Helmets | Headwear | Uniforms | Insignia | Field Gear | Footwear | Personal Items & Ephemera | Heavy Items (crates, furniture, tools, etc)

History of the German Helmet (in brief)

(The following information is designed to be a generalized guideline for the configuration of German helmets before and during WW II. There were of course exceptions to every rule, but the information below is based on real wartime German regulations.)

The German infantry Stahlhelm (steel helmet) of the Third Reich was first introduced in 1935. It is characterized by the rolled edges of the rim and the separate grommet over the vent holes. Army (Heer), SS-VT/Waffen-SS, Police (Polizei), and paratrooper helmets were painted in what most call "apple green" or "parade green". The Air Force (Luftwaffe) infantry helmets were painted a dark blue-gray, called "field blue". All were finished smooth and without texturing or camouflage in these pre-war days, and all bore both respective decals.

In 1940, the paint for Heer and Waffen-SS helmets was changed to a more subdued and darker green-gray, and for a few months prior to the invasion of France these were still issued with both decals. In this time, a somewhat simplified shell was introduced (commonly called the "Model 1940") that featured a stamped vent hole in place of the grommet. Immediately following the France campaign, regulations regarding the decals were changed, and the tri-color decals were to no longer be used. Only the National Emblem (eagle with swastika) and the SS' runic or police shields were allowed; all other decals were supposed to be removed from existing helmets.

The single-decal configuration was officially used until 1943, when a new regulation was instituted that forbade the further use or display of all decals on all helmets. In 1942, a further-simplified helmet shell was introduced that featured a raw edge, and this "Model 1942" helmet bore the single decal for roughly one year. The regulation to remove decals from all helmets was of course followed by some, but completely ignored by many others, as photographic evidence will prove.

German helmet shells were produced in a total of seven sizes ranging from 60cm to 72cm in circumference. Sizes 62, 64, and 66 were the most common, with size 64cm being the most-issued during the war. Below is a chart showing the correct sizing of shells to liners/head size:

Shell Size
Head Sizes
60
52 or 53cm (6" to 6-1/4")
62
54 or 55cm (6-1/2" to 6-5/8")
64
56 or 57cm (6-3/4" to 7")
66
58 or 59cm (7-1/8" to 7-1/4")
68
60 or 61cm (7-5/8" to 7-1/2")
70
62 or 62cm (7-5/8" to 7-3/4")
72
63 or 64cm (7-7/8" to 8")

 

Grigsby Militaria Helmets

We offer historically-correct helmets and restoration services, not fantasy pieces, as our reputation depends on such. They are the best helmets around, guaranteed. They are exact in every way, and indistinguishable from originals in all aspects. However, because of this fact and our overestimation of the honesty of most people, we mark all aged helmets as "repro". It will be small and unnoticable, but it will be there! We have had problems in the past with people trying to pass them off as real, so this must be done in order to keep things as honest as possible. A list of helmet services and products we offer (click on the listing for more information):