Ratisbon’s 41st Contemporary History Auction

The latest auction from European auction house Ratisbon’s featured German helmets, lots of them. Well, there were plenty of other desirable items, but let’s start with a helmet with a bit of history. It was a German M18 helmet which was re-issued as a single decal Heer helmet in 1935. The paint looked to be the original WWI period time one. The eagle decal had been applied above the original paint. The decal was about 85%. It sold for £650.55 (includes Buyer’s Premium of 22.5%). Contrast that with a superb and early M35 helmet issued around 1938-39. There is the typical dome stamp of ‘Abgenommen’ to the shell but the date was hard to read. This helmet came untouched and was available on the market for the first time! Both decals were in excellent condition. Unsurprisingly it went for £3,724.92.

Let’s get airborne next with a helmet for the Luftwaffe. This was an untouched Luftwaffe M40 helmet, complete with its originally attached liner and chin-strap. The prongs of the rivets were never opened. The lining came in very fine condition. It was size ‘55’ marked. The eagle decal looked to be over 95% but there was a dark patina on it. There was light rust covering the outer shell, which came with full factory paint. It sold for a hefty £851.38.

Now if we’re talking about airborne forces, then there’s nothing more collectable than the gear of the Fallschirmjäger but if you wanted a lid that wasn’t going to break the bank then downgrade your expectations accordingly. That’s what was on offer with this M38 helmet shell with remains of the eagle and paint. No markings visible, unknown size and plenty of rust. It went for £629.56.

Off to the desert next, but still with the Luftwaffe. It was a very early, ‘1940’ dated, example of a Luftwaffe tropical pith helmet. Clearly worn and with a lot of character. Missing insignia but complete with its chin strap. Maker marked, size ‘57’ marked and ‘1940’ dated. Typical red lining and green backing. It sold for £377.74.

Of course, the ultimate in collectable helmets are those of the Waffen-SS. This wasn’t one of those, it was a second pattern, reversible Waffen-SS helmet cover. Spring and autumn side. A socalled ‘plane tree’ camo print, clear colours, more wear to the autumn side. All six loops were in place and factory attached. A very rare helmet cover which came in good condition with moderate signs of wear. And the sale price? £3,829.85 for just a cover.

Now, if you wanted a Third

Reich helmet without selling a kidney first, then how about an NSKK 1st Pattern motorcyclists crash helmet? This was a quite nice, early leather crash helmet with a 1st pattern NSKK eagle period time attached. The bottom swastika part had left a clear mark to the leather around it. There were unusual private RZM markings to the inside. Size ‘57’ stamped. It sold for £409.21.