History

With the introduction of the new, more modern steel helmet model in 1935 on behalf of the German Army, the SS were eventually issued small quantities in 1936. The field-grey helmets were spray-painted black and the SS decals were applied.

The basic materials of which the helmet was fashioned include steel, aluminum, and leather. On the inside there is a helmet liner, designed to absorb shock. Most helmets have two grommet ventilation holes. The chinstrap was usually dyed black.

The easiest way to identify an M35 model, compared to an M16 one, is to look at the two grommets, one on each side. While the M16 helmet grommets are very pronounced and extend a few millimetres from the shell, the grommets on M35 helmets are just holes with a small, barely rising border around them.