Firefighters Steel Helmet
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 74.GOR.01.04.001.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
This is a very well-preserved Feuerschutzpolizei (Fire Protection Police) steel helmet, constructed of molybdenum steel (magnetic) with its original black paint on the interior and exterior. It is flanked on each side by two sets of seven-hole ventilation rosettes, and features a smooth crimped finish along the entire edge, making this a signature M34 helmet. The left side of the helmet features a second-pattern police decal depicting a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, within an oval oak leaf wreath, surrounded by a thin, shield-type silver border. The right side of the helmet features a NSDAP-style decal depicting a black mobile swastika on a white disk within a field of red, similarly in shield format. The decals, which each measure 32 mm (w) x 41 mm (h), in this arrangement indicate an issue period of 1936-1945. The interior has its original black leather M31-style civil liner, constructed of six leather panels, each with a stamped hole at the top through which is fed a woven thread drawstring. The chin strap is constructed of black leather with adjustable magnetic metal buckles, and is fastened to a black leather sweatband which is secured to the helmet by four magnetic metal rivets. The reverse of one of the interior panels is stamped “T.M.B. 56”. The top of the interior features a tan-coloured, padded head protector fixed to thick strips of cardboard emanating from the sweatband fixtures, also stamped with size “56”. The helmet measures 228 mm (w) x 276 mm (h) x 152 mm (h). Rusting and loss of paint is evident to the exterior, along with some wear to the right decal and age-appropriate fatigue to the leather features, but the helmet is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.
Before the NSDAP’s rise to power in 1933, firefighters and their regulations were overseen by the individual German states. Fire services were more or less run by the communities as they saw fit. Larger towns and cities featured professional fire services (Berufsfeuerwehr), while rural areas featured volunteer fire services (Freiwillige Feuerwehr).
Under Third Reich rule, fire services were to be unified on a national level and therefore placed under the control of the German Police. National socialist doctrine was infused and the fire services militarised in preparation for war and the anticipated bombing of German cities.
Between 1933 and 1938, the professional fire service was referred to as “Feuerlöschpolizei” (fire extinguishing police), while between 1938 and 1945, they were referred to as “Feuerschutzpolizei” (fire protection police) as a subdivision of the German Police.
Volunteer firefighters were classified as part of the Hilfspolizei (police auxiliary forces).
Firefighter uniforms had generally been made of dark blue material, predominantly in Prussia. This colour was still used during the 1930s, but then changed in 1939 when members of the professional fire service received a green uniform similar to that of the German Police. The uniform garments featured carmine piping and initially black, later dark brown (as of September 1942) collars, cuffs, and cap bands as identifiers. However, volunteer firefighters kept wearing dark blue uniforms with carmine piping until the end of the war.
The steel helmets worn by firefighters were made of either steel or light metal, for example aluminum. They were coloured in black. Where most helmets of the Third Reich period have a gradual and curved dip halfway around the lower rim, the firefighter helmets introduced in the mid 1930s have an angled, square dip. However, earlier firefighter helmets still have the curved dip.
As an optional attachment, a silver-coloured comb could be worn at the top of the helmet. Early combs were made of nickel, which gave way to aluminum. Eventually, the combs were discontinued during the war to save material. In some cases, existing combs were painted over in black.
The helmets could also feature a detachable leather neck protector.
Helmet decals were introduced on May 9, 1934. A white mobile swastika outlined in black was painted onto the right side and a black/white/red shield with diagonal stripes onto the right in a slanted position.
These decals were changed in July of 1936. From then on, the left side featured a white or silver Police eagle emblem on a black shield and the right side featured a red shield with a black swastika inside a white circle. The eagle emblem can sometimes appear golden-yellow, which is due to varnish discolouration
Only a small number of Army combat helmets was given to firefighters between 1940 and the end of the war. These featured the curved dip and were repainted in black or dark blue with firefighter decals.
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