Description:

ALLGEMEINE-SS TRANSITIONAL HELMET
Excessively rare commercial style SS helmet from the early 1930's, modeled after the Austrian World War I M16 helmet. This droop-bill style helmet is also known as the 'Himmler Style' because of the many early photos showing Heinrich Himmler wearing just such a helmet. Interior is fitted with a commercial style liner, also modeled after the Austrian helmet liner design. The three-tab liner is fitted to the helmet with three split rivets attached through a leather composite headband which shows faint traces of the maker's mark stamp of Bath & Wagawa Metallwarenfabrlk Dresden. The liner tabs are fitted with metal grommets in the drawstring holes, but lacking the drawstring. Liner is in near mint condition showing only slight discoloration from normal wear, with one leather tab showing a handwritten name in black ink, which unfortunately is illegible. Helmet is sprayed black inside and out, with an additional coat of satin black paint being brushed on the outside only, this being original to the helmet at the time of manufacture. Both SS insignia are hand-painted directly onto the helmet and mimic the identical decals of first pattern runes on the right-hand side, and a 'thin swastika' party shield on left side. The hand-painting of these insignia in these first generation helmets was not at all uncommon at the time. The helmet is also fitted with a quick release leather strap, with one side showing a well worn black finish and having a roller style buckle, and it is assumed to be of commercial origin as well. Received from an estate which consisted solely of high-end items acquired from the residence of FRITZ SAUCKEL (1894-1946), the Nazi chief of slave labor recruitment who seized over five million workers and kept them under the vilest conditions. He was tried, convicted and hanged at Nuremberg. The estate was that of a well-known high-ranking American general who conquered and occupied Thuringia. The helmet retains 98% of it's finish with only a couple small rust spots showing through. A unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of all SS helmets.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 6, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000