From 1935-39 in the lead up to WW2 as Germany re-armed itself in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, the Kreigsmarine (Navy) was the lowest priority in terms of helmet production as there were few land based units at the time. Top priority was given instead to Heer (Army) and Luftwaffe helmets which is why so few M35 KM DD configurations are ever seen. This makes them the rarest in the hobby next only to M35 DD Waffen SS helmets which appear to be equally as rare and for similar reasons.
People from Texas always say that bigger is better and most German helmet collectors will agree with that statement. An M35 ET70 is just something you don't see everyday as they were custom made to order and only at the ET factory in Thale. Basically a specific request from the quarter master would have had to been filled for an individual soldier who didn't fit any of the helmets in the store room.
The KM eagle is layered with that nice 3D effect you only see with early KM M35 helmets reflecting the unique printing process at the time. Sadly yes someone defaced the decal somewhat trying to de-Nazify it. At least they seem to have left the rest of it alone.
$7000
Please call, text or email me if interested.
Tel/Text: 1-438-502-5052
Email Us: helmetsofwar@gmail.com
GERMAN HELMET FACTORY PRODUCTION CODES
(Every original German helmet produced from 1935 to 45 had two factory stampings punched into the side and rear or both in the rear. The alpha numeric number refers to the factory location and the inside metric circumference in centimeters. The rear lot number refers to the production run and was used as a quality control measure. The font styles used at each factory were slightly different but highly consistent throughout the war and so fakes or reproductions will either not have these numbers at all or they will use the wrong font style or letter spacing and so are easily identified as post war made.)
(FS or EF)-Emaillierwerke AG, Fulda, Germany
(ET or ckl)-Eisenhuttenwerke, Thale, Germany
(Q)-Quist, Esslingen, Germany
(NS)-Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, Schwerte, Germany
(SE or hkp)-Sachsische Emaillier u. Stanzwerke, Lauter, Germany
