Description:

SS-RZM TRANSITIONAL HELMET
One of the rarest pieces of World War II headgear, a steel combat helmet manufactured in the style of a World War I-era M1918 ‘stahlhelm' and commonly known as the ‘SS-RZM' helmet for the large ‘SS' runes and ‘RZM' insignia stamped inside the skirt on either side. This helmet was primarily used after 1934 by the SS-VT prior to their reorganization as the Waffen-SS in 1940 and the wide distribution of M35-style helmets to those units. The helmet shows a matte grey-black finish inside and out, with no decals present on the exterior, and displays non-stepped vent studs placed closer to the liner rivets than those found on M1918 helmets. The majority produced came from the factory in black, but examples in this gunmetal color appear to have been manufactured or re-worked in the color the ‘Reichsheer' had been using, sometimes called ‘grey-black' ('schwartzgrau'). The sides show faint vertical striations, created when the helmet die was pushed into the base metal. The aforementioned ‘SS' and ‘RZM' stamps, a distinctive hallmark of this helmet type only, are crisp but are lightly struck at the top and bottom of each mark. The interior is fitted with the correct three-pad German M16 style liner system, with hollow core rivets affixing the band to the shell, a hallmark of the product line of these helmets. One of the flaps bears the handwritten name ‘Hann', with one of the fingers being marked ‘Albrecht 121442'. It is further fitted with the unique SS-RZM pattern strap, with extra loop, keeper, and carbine-clip buckle. The exterior of the shell shows a few minor areas of wear to the finish as well as along the rim and beneath the liner band. The liner itself shows some light wear and soiling, with the leather chinstrap displaying some cracking. Overall, a very good example of an extremely rare helmet.

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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.

June 15, 2023 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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000