Description
In the early 1930s, Germany crafted an experimental Reichswehr Vulkanfiber helmet as an early attempt to make a lightweight ballistic helmet. The available materials at the time, like Vulkanfiber, were not suitable for the purpose and the pattern was rejected for field use. The failure of these helmets led to the redesign of the stahlhelm to make a lighter weight metal shell that became the M35.
As several thousand had been produced, many became issued for officer parade use as they were much lighter than the metal counterparts. It is also documented that many were issued to concentration camp and prison guards as well, since there was no anticipation of active field combat situations. Police and fire units are also known to have used them but by 1939, most had been either replaced or discarded.
By direct family history, this helmet was brought home as a war trophy by Corp. Ronald Wilkinson who served in Germany and France with the 61st Armored Infantry Battalion. Additional documentation of provenance included.
