SS-Steel: Parade & Combat Helmets of Germany's Third Reich Elite

The central issue regarding collecting SS helmets is the huge amount of fakes now on the market. "SS Steel" is intended to assist the collector in determining the fakes from the real thing. It provides information specific to their paint, decals, and general characteristics. This analysis is conducted within the framework of history; illustrating how the forces of politics and war influenced the equiping of Germany's "elite guard." During full-scale production of the M-35 series of helmets, each of the five German helmet makers installed their own pattern of SS decal on helmets at the factory. Fine examples of dozens of original helmets show clear evidence of this maker-to-decal correlation. In addition to the decal analysis, "SS Steel" explores the high degree of re-use and re-issue of helmets, compared to the other services. Variations, unusual and rare helmets, and "foreign volunteer" SS helmets are also explored.