WWII GERMAN Luftschutz Gladiator helmet 1943 stamps ORIGINAL VG Bulgarian decal
Authentic WWII 1936 GERMAN Luftschutz Gladiator helmet M44 used in Bulgaria. Great decal and condition, Kingdom Bulgaria. This German Luftschutz helmet, the so-called "Gladiator" type M44, that was used in Bulgaria during the WWII.
These helmets have been produced in Germany by order of Bulgarian army and designed to be used in the army unit called "Protivovazdushna i Himimicheska Zashtita" - Anti Air and Chemical Defense. Helmet is of one piece construction, has two groups of seven ventilation holes to either side of the crown. Retains its original grey paint (see condition on the pictures provided below) and very good ORIGINAL DECAL! The decal represents a shield, the left part in the National colors /white-green-red/, the right part in black-white-black. In the center of the shield there is a smaller red shield with a standing lion with crown inside.
On the upper part in a dark blue line are 4 Cyrillic letters abbreviation of the Anti air corps name. Interior of the helmet keeps an original three pad/ WWI style leather liner with each pad having two fingers. Here it is partially preserved. Some rust seen on bottom - the result from long years store keeping.The helmet chinstraps have been cut at some time. The reverse interior neck guard is stamped with Germans producer's mark RL 2 39/25.
Liner size 60 / XL. German marks are seen on inside of liner's brackets. Helmet in VG authentic condition!History notes: Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, German Air Protection League, was a voluntary organization designed to provide Civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascended to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium - National Air Ministry under the control of Hermann ring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund - National Air Raid Protection League and was given the status of an official National organization tasked with all aspects of Civil Air Raid defense.
The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small personnel of paid, full-time uniformed officials to be in charge of the organization until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown.
Items sent in 72h from Europe Bulgaria. Pls wait for a personal invoice. The item "WWII GERMAN Luftschutz Gladiator helmet 1943 stamps ORIGINAL VG Bulgarian decal" is in sale since Tuesday, May 30, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Germany\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "world_collect" and is located in Sofia, Sofia.This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany