Tell me about this emblem please.

An easy one for you guys no doubt. My German helmet has this emblem on the side. Can you tell me exactly what it's called, branch, history, etc.? I know it's common, but don't know anything about it. Thank you.

 

Hello quicknick,

as carl (Carl Evans) knows, I am not really so much into the "Lesser Period".
However AFAIK that "badge" Wappen der Wehrmacht does not stand for any unit but is meerly indicating that is wearer was a member of the Wehrmacht as such?

try http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Uniformen/Helme/Stahlhelm.htm
If you have a google translation bar, it's easier to read.

I am sure other better versed experts will give you a satisfactory answer

Regards
Kruska

Hmm.. seems you have a goody there (pre 1940 model), I just read up that those decalls were not produced displayed after 1940 due to cammo and production reasons.

 

I do not know what it was called but it is the German coat of arms during the Nazi Era.



Also see this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Germany#Nazi_Germany

If the eagle's head was overlooking its left shoulder, it represented the party. If it overlooked its right shoulder, it represented the German Empire.

 

it's the heer swastika decal,as kruska said wehrmacht...helmet is the m42... After experience in Poland and France, an order in 1940 called for the removal and omission of future tri-color shields (red-white-black striped shield for Heer & Luftwaffe, shield with swastika for the SS). The bright colors were just too visible. Of course, as with any military, this was apparently adhered to only when necessary... there is plenty of photographic evidence showing double-decal helmets all the way to the end of the war.
An order dated 1943 called for the removal and omission of ANY decals on helmets. This would mean that ideally-speaking, the 1942 run of M42 shells would have had the National Eagle (or "SS" runes) decal applied in the factories, but after 1943 no decals should be seen on new helmets.

 

Thanks for the great info guys. This helmet was given to me by my sisters father in law. He was a tank Commander in Europe. Apparently, when he and his boys took prisoners, they would fill their tanks with "souveniers" to ship home. I have never seen his booty, but I hear he has some neat treasures. Pistols, daggers, medals, etc.

 

Thank Ray, I couldnt get here earlier to see this and reoply ;-))

Heh heh, thanks for the laugh as well Andy me bookie ;-)) That "Lesser Period" gets me everytime I see you post it :-D

 

sometimes the soldiers painted the division/infantry/their name they were serving in on the underside of skirt,which obviously! this one hasn't done that? you should see also a serial number stamped and above it a 3 set of letters, the number denotes the helmet was number xxxx in manufacturing run, and the 3 letters will tell you from where it was made, and also under skirt above the left ear! sometimes.it's not the m40? but the m42 at first glance I thought that,but wasn't looking at the helmet proper? just the decal. as the pic appears to show skirt flare? and not rolled, it is the m42, which also denotes 1942 yr of manufacturing. hope this helped, regards, raty..

 

The numbers on this helmet are as follows....... C 161
2510
the leather liner has a black circle w/ 07 in it. The size I assume. And no markings near the left ear at all.
Also, does this look camo to you, or is this normal patina? Does the decal make this helmet more valuable or rare? I can provide more pix if it helps. Advise. Nicholas

 

hi nicholas, camo it is,ckl it sounds like, made at eisenhuttenwerke thale, germany. liner circled will be size 57, rarer? can be, show inside helmet if you can? and other side too please, ray..

 

Per your request Ray....Here are some other pix of my helmet including the inside. The strap is missing, but the liner is intact,pliable, and in overall good shape. Thanks to everyone for your input on this. Keep the info coming.You guys are awesome.

 

all good quicknick, liner has become dry and will breakdown very easily, so be careful when handling it, it's a size 64 according to the liner number you quoted, which I said was a 57, the average of helmet size's too... overalll very good...ray..