Germany, Ordnungspolizei. An Gendarmerie (Rural Police) M1934 Steel Helmet

(Gendarmerie Stahlhelm). Constructed of a single sheet of molybdenum steel (magnetic), painted in black paint on the interior and exterior, with a smooth rolled edge along the entire rim of the helmet. It features two clusters of seven small holes on either side of the helmet to allow for air circulation. The left side of the helmet is adorned by a traditional police decal, consisting of a German national eagle with open wings clutching a mobile wreathed swastika, all within a larger oval wreath and measuring 35 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The right side of the helmet is adorned by a swastika decal, consisting of a black mobile swastika on a white circular bed within a red background, measuring 35 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The interior has its original light brown coloured leather liner, constructed of eleven leather panels, each with a hole at the top of each panel for the drawstring to be fed through. The drawstring itself is constructed of twisted/embroidered tan-coloured string, and appears to be original to the helmet. It also has an additional padded leather “pillow” attached to the crown of the helmet to allow for more comfortable wear. The chin strap is constructed of blackened leather, with its original metal hardware, and is securely fastened to the metal frame within the helmet. The frame itself is fastened to the helmet via four rivets visible on the exterior of the helmet. The leather liner bears a size mark of “57”, and the helmet measures 218 mm (w) x 285 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). The chinstrap demonstrates evidence of having been replaced, and there is moderate scratching and loss of paint to the shell. In overall near extremely fine condition.