INFO LINK : The history and units of the German Polizei
Observations :
- Polizei helmet M35/M40 and M42’s have the same paint color as Heer helmets with one exception , there is a production run by SE that produced M40 Polizei helmets in a smooth green color.
- Combat Polizei helmets always carry two decals , only in very rare cases on civic type shells a single decal is observed .
- A batch of M35 Heer helmets was used to furnish the Polizei units with helmets , the Polizei decals were applied over the Heer decals.
- I have never seen evidence of the existence of the so called golden Water polizei decals (wasserschutzpolizei) in my opinion they are just a fable.
SCROLL DOWN FOR EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT HELMETS
Austrian M16
- This grey one is the rarer of the 2 configurations you can find of this re-used Austrian shell. See the other type further down.
- Carries the SE style Polizei decal.
- The chinstrap has a Polizei marking forLandesgendarmeriekommando Steiermark ” that would mean “Headquarter of the Gendarmerie in Styria”
- The holes near the decals prove the helmet was used as a Police helmet by the Austrians before the anschluss.
Austrian M16
- This is the more common transitional type
- Light green paint
- Has the reissue decal
Edelstahl size 62 – Medium duty
- This helmet was found by an American collector in 2012 together with a host of other bring back items (see photo).
- Has the ET style Polizei decal
- Weighs 1.15 Kgs and is marked Edelstahl in small letters.
- These helmets were not designed for combat duty but for rear echelon duty.
Edelstahl size 64 – Medium duty – Satin black
- This one is a unique satin black M34 , I have not yet seen a similar example.
- ET style decal
- Note the different liner configuration with the one above
- Weighs 1.05 Kgs and is marked Edelstahl in large letters
- Has a leather pad in the crown as added comfort.
Eisenhüttenwerke Thale (ET) size 62 – M35
- 1937 dated single alu liner band
- Lot number 4636
- Originally a Double decal Heer , the Polizei decals have been applied over the Heer decals.
- Of note : The decal is not the ET style decal but a Reissue type. This means that the application of the Polizei decals was done at another level than the factory level.
Eisenhüttenwerke Thale (ET) size 62 – M35
- Lot number 4737
- 1939 Dated liner band
- Hole in the top of the helmet suggests it was used as a grave marker , also the way the leather looks supports this theory.
- ET style factory applied decal
Sachsische emailler und Stazwerke A.G. lauter (SE) size 64 – M40
- Lot number 5003
- Note the smooth paint which is typical for these M40 Polizei by SE.
- Note also the aluminium reinforced liner band.
Eisenhüttenwerke Thale (ET) size 64 – M40
- Lot number 1054
- ET eagle decal
- Complete dome stamp
- Helmet was found in 2007 at the veteran’s family several years ago (see inset picture).
Emaillierwerke A.G.Fulda (EF) size 64 M42
- 1943 Dated liner band
- Lot number 2514
- SE style decal (Two different eagles are possible on EF M42 shells , both bordered)
- Tan leather means the helmet was not used a lot
- Also carries a 1943 dated chinstrap
Emaillierwerke A.G.Fulda (EF) size 66 M42
- 1943 Dated liner band
- Lot number 2585
- EF style decal , it differs from the EF M42 helmet posted above. Only these 2 types are used on EF Polizei helmets.
- Sturdy pig skin leather
- Also carries a 1943 dated chinstrap
