M38
The M1938 helmet incorporated four hollow-bore spanner bolts (with screws and hexagonal washers) in favor of the three split-tailed rivets found on the M1937. The liner system was completely redesigned with heavy rubber padding on the sides and crown with an improved aluminum liner band ring. Later models incorporated a zinc plated steel ring instead of aluminum. Helmet sizing was achieved by varying the thickness of the rubber padding in the appropriate sized helmet shell. The support lining was now constructed out of two pieces of leather sewn together in the center in which twelve holes were cut to allow for venting.
The M1938 helmet was constructed in four different centimeter shell sizes (64, 66, 68, 71). The shell was stamped with four holes where the lining could be attached to the helmet shell using spanner-bolts. Original examples are stamped with “ET” or “ckl” representing both trademarks used by the Thale manufacturing facility. No other revisions to the basic design were introduced after 1938. Early helmets bore a double decal configuration consisting of the Luftwaffe eagle and the National tricolored shield of Germany. The German Army (Heer) also used the standard Armed Forces Eagle insignia (Wehrmachtsadler) for a very short time before being integrated into the Luftwaffe.