Luftwaffe Luftwaffe helmet with personalization

[Chris Pittman]

I have had this Luftwaffe helmet for a few years. It is a single decal M40 marked ET66. The helmet has an "S" painted on the side opposite the decal. The letter is painted with the type of white paint often used to paint names inside helmets. Does anybody have any ideas what this painted "S" might indicate? The helmet is also named with ink in the liner, though this is illegible.

[Chris Pittman]

Here is the other side with the painted letter.

[Chris Pittman]

The paint shows age and patina, it looks like it has been there forever.

[Chris Pittman]

Decal close-up

[Chris Pittman]

Here is the stamp inside the shell

[Chris Pittman]

I notice that the seam in the liner is not in the usual position The liner rivets have all their washers, it is possible that the liner has been out at some point but I can't be sure.

[Chris Pittman]

Last photo. There is a name in the liner that has been inked out and another name penned in. I welcome any comments on this item.

[Paul R]

"S"- Spiess? It would be a quick way for ID in the field, if he did not want to wear the cuff tress.

[Bob Lyons]

Looks to me like the original owner of the helmet has just personalized it with a small 's' to identify his

own helmet from probably a stack of similar helmets, perhaps in a Flak battery or something similiar.

I think everyone in the unit would know who their 'Spiess' was without him having to identify himself....

Best wishes

Bob

[Chris Pittman]

Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose one could speculate endlessly. I had also wondered if the letter might have been used so that the soldier could quickly identify his helmets at a duty station.

Chris

[Paul R]

So what other things do you have? :jumping: