General Information: Prior to the widespread adoption of the Model 1935, German armed forces used reissued First World War helmets. Following an ordinance dated February 17, 1934 military helmets were adorned by new decals of the Third Reich.[1] Collectors describe these reissued helmets with Nazi decals as “transitionals.” They were refitted with the new Model 1931 liners and chinstraps which were the same as used on the M35s. Like some of the earliest of the new models, the transitional helmets often had Model 1927 type chinstraps (see period photo above). These incorporated a carbine clip device like the M18 helmets. Unlike the M18s, the carbine clips on the M27 chinstraps attached directly to a liner loop or bale that was part of the liner band assembly. These chinstraps had a roller buckle and belt loop for securing the long end of the chinstrap.
During the Second World War old stocks of First World War helmets were refitted and reissued following specifications current at that time which generally meant factory applied field grey matt finish paint and single decals or no decals. These helmets are sometimes erroneously identified as “transitional” but the correct designation for these is “reissued.”
Displayed Examples: I purchased the helmet in the first gallery of photographs below in 2023 from German Helmets, Inc. It is a classic example of the type. The helmet is stamped Q which stands for the F.W. Quist company located just north of Stuttgart.[2] This company also made helmets during the Third Reich era and in the post-World War Two period. The “66” adjacent to the Q identifies the size which second largest in the size range. The hand painting and the color are typical of the early transitional helmets. Several companies manufactured the decals. These were an early type made by Pocher. The liners on transitional helmets and early M35s had unreinforced aluminum bands like this one. The band is stamped by the manufacturer, Schuberthwerke, and is dated 1931. The leather liner has an oval stamp that contains the manufacturer name, size, and the year date 1931. This type of oval stamp was a feature of early M31 liners and was discontinued at on later versions of the M35. The chinstrap short section is an original M27 and the long section is an original undated, unmarked M31 type. I added these after I bought the helmet along with the drawstring.
The helmet in the second photo gallery below came to me in a trade in late 2024. It is similar to the first helmet. It is a size 66 shell, but there is no visible manufacturer stamp in the interior skirt. Like other early Model 1931 liners, this one has a Schuberthwerke company stamp. This particular example has size markings z.65/58. The early, unreinforced aluminum liner band has the date 1931. The M27 type chinstrap with its carbine clip is nicely marked with by the maker, Otto Sindel – Berlin 1935. There is a unit identification on the rear visor that I have to date not been able to identify. Interestingly, the Wehrmacht decal shows a slightly defective application which is occasionally seen on Third Reich helmets. Another unusual feature of this specimen is that the short chinstrap section with the carbine clip is on the wearer’s right side rather than the left which would have been the norm.
Collector Notes: Although scarcer than the equivalent M35s, they are usually less expensive although the disparity in market value has been narrowing recently. As with all relics associated with the Third Reich era, fakes abound, so exercise caution.
* private collection
[1] Baer. pp 101
[2] Niewiarowicz. pp 453
Steel Helmets of the World Wars 