Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

Luftschutz Polizei and Feuerschutz Helmets.

Discussion in 'Uniforms, Personal Gear (Kit) and Accessories' started by Skipper, Jan 15, 2012.

  1. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    This is a new thread to show different type of Luftschutz helmets. It is not my intention to show what the difference between the several type are (most of you know that) , but I'd rahter show , with comparison pictures, that all these models were also used by combat units (icluding Volksturm, rotekreuz, etc..) and not only Home front.
    Of course I will also show Homefront use since the Fireman, Rubblecleaning, shelter supervision, Police aticvities were the primer use of these models.

    Nb: unless otherwise mentionned all hemets shown are from my collection



    1) Luftshutz helmet (regular model , this model is without a decal (both existed as shown on the pic ).
    It is a mix between the m-42 helmet and the Gladiator Luftshutz model. It has no feuerschutz ventilation and is not shaped like one either. In fact it almsot like a Heer model except the rim around it.



    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    [​IMG]
     
  2. belasar

    belasar Court Jester

    Joined:
    May 9, 2010
    Messages:
    8,515
    Likes Received:
    1,176
    The guy on the right in the last picture should get a refund!
     
  3. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    I hope I'll get some serious comments too.

    Here is Feurer Polizei helmet with Schutz Polizei decal. I has the aluminium cret that was used with the M-34 model and which were removed after 1938 (see picture) .

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  4. belasar

    belasar Court Jester

    Joined:
    May 9, 2010
    Messages:
    8,515
    Likes Received:
    1,176
    Sorry skipper I cound not resist. they are great photos and I am learning something so I hope you will forgive the Jester this time :)
     
  5. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    No problem Belasar it's just that I'd expected some informative comments before the usual jokes.

    Here is the inside from the above mentionned helmet.

    Note the makers stamp . Most of these helmets were repainted in 1945 (to hide emblems) but sometimes you have agood surprised by cleaning one. My Schutz decal came out 60% .

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    A Gladiator Lutschutz model (shell) with battle damage. I counted 12 impacts , 5 perforated the helmet. The decal depsite a little impact has survived. This helmet was picked up by a souvenir collector immediatly after the war and despite the impact has no rust and is in original condition.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    and a military use of the Luftschutz helmet in 1945.

    [​IMG]

    These helmets are either navy blue or black , but there were many variants. I still need to find the Gladiator helmet that was made from one piece.
     
  8. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Battlefield wanderer

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,894
    Likes Received:
    553
    Location:
    Cheshire, England
    Nice lids, Skip!

    I have a number of theses type of helmets in my collection including a three piece and one piece Luftschutz.

    The M35, 40 and 42 beaded types are still eluding me but I'll have one or all someday...I hope!

    There are a number of theories at to why the beading was incorporated in to the combat style shell. One is that it was done during production to indicate a defective shell thus preventing it being used in combat. Another was that it was added to simply identify it as a Luftschutz or factory protection personels helmet.

    I'm more inclined to agree with the latter theory.

    These are my Luftschutz helmets

    One piece
    [​IMG]

    Three piece variant which I've repainted with the correct RAL colour and added a new decal (the helmet was rusted and lacking almost all of its exterior paint when I got it)
    [​IMG]

    And this is my civic 'curved dip' fire helmet which has been repainted at some point in its life.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    Great lids John, the funniest is that I only recently learned about the one piece helmet.
     
  10. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Battlefield wanderer

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,894
    Likes Received:
    553
    Location:
    Cheshire, England
    The Luftschutz 'Gladiator' helmet was produced In one, two and three piece versions.

    If my memory serves me right, the one piece was the first to be produced, and even though the the later three piece consisted of more parts, it was cheaper and easier to make.
     
  11. gunbunnyb/3/75FA

    gunbunnyb/3/75FA Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    19
    i had never heard of any women wearing the gladiator helmet, its always been my favorite german helmet.
     
  12. QOTD

    QOTD Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    7
    The 2 peice luftschutz is the rarer on, I have a one peice factory (Stoewer) helmet, 1 peice with Bulgarian decal, and nicely personalised with a name and the words "please do not take, I m responsible or this" in Bulgarian, and a 3 pice LS
     
  13. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    Damn , why did I start this thread, now I have discovered, not one but two "new" models I still need.... , thanks for letting me know about the two piece Gladiator .:D


    It would be interesting to write down the sized and also the white admission stamps which mentions sizes and sometimes the retail price. I have seen oval and rectangular stamps as well as white markings without a frame.
     
  14. QOTD

    QOTD Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    7
    No worries, I too didn't know about sll the different types, I thought one LS gladiator was all I wanted, then you realise there are others and you need to have an example of each......got my eyes on a beaded helmet, and I also have a water police DD pared helmet with the comb, the eagle is gold,like on KM helmets
     
  15. QOTD

    QOTD Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    7
    No worries, I too didn't know about sll the different types, I thought one LS gladiator was all I wanted, then you realise there are others and you need to have an example of each......got my eyes on a beaded helmet, and I also have a water police DD pared helmet with the comb, the eagle is gold,like on KM helmets actually my M34 with the comb like your photo, has a later war paper liner and chinstrap, and has the maker and date of 3/5/1934 stamped on the rim
     
  16. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Battlefield wanderer

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,894
    Likes Received:
    553
    Location:
    Cheshire, England
    Hate to tell you Skipper, but there are also M35, M40 and M42 beaded helmets!

    The M40 (which you already have) is the most common of all the versions and is rising steadily in price.
     
  17. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    This must be the 2 pices model then. It is described as being a M-38. Note the Polizei decal.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. QOTD

    QOTD Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    7
    Nice two peice, even rarer with a police decal!!!
     
  19. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Battlefield wanderer

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2007
    Messages:
    1,894
    Likes Received:
    553
    Location:
    Cheshire, England
    Here are a few pics of Luftschutz helmets in use.

    Note the age of some of those in the photos!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    A female air raid warden
    [​IMG]

    Combat use. The Gladiator helmet wearer is carrying a spare MG42 barrel canister across his back.
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
    Great models and great pics John. Now you got me really hooked.
     

Share This Page