Before the outbreak of the war the German Red Cross was responsible for providing medical care and humanitarian aid , it was incorporated in the Nazi organization around 1938 and was organized as a military component with a hierarchy and uniforms.
INFO LINK : The German Red Cross
Observations :
- Only one decal type is considered valid for these helmets (The pointed bottom one) , another type exists called the Round bottom type but is considered a post war reproduction. You can read about it here.
- Paint colors are green or grey. Green is more uncommon and associated with the really early helmets often carrying 2 decals.
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 “prototype”
- Called prototype by collectors as it is believed to be the first type developped
- Note the early green paint and 2 decals
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Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 square dip
- This is a transitional DRK helmet with some feature the later DRK do not have.
- This helmet has the flat rivet heads as seen on earlier DRK helmet (see above) , the front set slightly smaller than the back ones.
- It also has the neck attachments for a neck flap like the Fueurwehr helmets have.
- Also the chinstrap is of a more WW1 style variant as opposed to the later rollerbuckle ones.
- Patina has darkened the paint color and I believe it to be originally of a light grey color like the helmet pictured below
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 square dip
- Note the uncommon chinstrap and the pad under the liner.
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Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 square dip
- This example has the more common roller buckle chinstrap.
- Of note are the rounded rivets
Photos courtesy of RonR
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 square dip
- Another square dip example similar as above.
- This helmet was purchased in 2014 from the widow of a 102nd Infantry Division veteran in Virgina USA together with other WW2 items.
- This shell has an A stamp believed to related to the Thale factory
- Of note is that this helmet received an overpaint to cover up a weld seam , they carefully painted around the decal as you can see from the USB close-ups.
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz – M34 square dip
- This particular helmet is exactly like the ones featured above but has an NSDAP shield as an ‘extra’.
Photos courtesy of Donald L
