The German Color Helmet Guide

During the years of World War II, German helmets changed their color, texture, and decals.

We provide you with a small guide to help you make a decision when choosing the helmet model, the recommended color, the decals and the appropriate camouflage among the most common.

Wehrmacht

1934-1935	1935-1940	1940-1943	1943-1945
M16, M17, M18	M35	M40	M42

• 1934-1935: For the first few years, World War I helmets were used, painted apple green, with the national emblem on the right and the eagle on the left.
• 1935-1940: The same apple green color is maintained, without texture and with the double decal.
• 1940-1943: The order is received to repaint all the helmets with the new Feldgrau color and a rough texture is applied to avoid unwanted shine. The decal of the national emblem is suppressed, leaving only the eagle of the Wehrmacht.
• 1943-1945: In the M42 model, the same grayish-green color and rough texture are maintained, but in 1943 all the decals are removed, leaving the helmet neutral.

Allgemeine SS y Waffen SS

1933-1935	1935-1940	1940-1943	1943-1945
M16, M17, M18	M35	M40	M42

• 1933-1935: The helmets of the First World War were painted black and the two decals of the SS were applied. Mainly used with the M32 uniform for demonstrations and parades.
• 1935-1940: In the M35 model it is adjusted to the apple green color used by the Wehrmacht, without texture and with the double decal of the SS.
• 1940-1943: The order is received to repaint all the helmets with the new Feldgrau color and a rough texture is applied to avoid unwanted shine. The swastika decal is removed, leaving only the runes on the right side.
• 1943-1945: In the M42 model, the same grayish-green color and rough texture are maintained, but in 1943 all the decals are removed, leaving the helmet neutral.

Luftwaffe

1935-1940	1940-1943	1943-1945
M35	M40	M42

• 1935-1940: The Luftwaffe was founded in 1935, its first helmet model, the M35 model differs from the rest of the army helmets, adopting the renowned Blaugrau color with double decals.
• 1940-1943: The order is received to repaint all the helmets with the Blaugrau color and a rough texture is applied to avoid unwanted shine. The decal of the national emblem is suppressed, leaving only the eagle of the Luftwaffe.
• 1943-1945: In the M42 model, the same Blaugrau color and rough texture are maintained, but in 1943 all the decals are removed, leaving the helmet neutral.

Fallschirmjäger

1935-1937	1937-1940	1940-1943	1943-1945
M37	M38	M38	M38

• 1935-1937: Unlike the ground units of the Luftwaffe, the paratroopers use the M37 helmet of revolutionary design, the colors adapted to those of the Wehrmacht, apple green with double decal.
• 1938-1940: The design of the M37 is readjusted but the same color is maintained, a new design of the eagle is adopted and the national emblem is maintained too.
• 1940-1943: The order is received to repaint all the helmets with the new Feldgrau color and a rough texture is applied to avoid unwanted shine. The decal of the national emblem is suppressed, leaving only the eagle of the Luftwaffe.
• 1943-1945: In the M42 model, the same grayish-green color and rough texture are maintained, but in 1943 all the decals are removed, leaving the helmet neutral.

Kriegsmarine

1934-1935	1935-1940	1940-1943	1943-1945
M16, M17, M18	M35	M40	M42

• 1934-1935: For the first few years, World War I helmets are adopted, with the same specifications as the ground army, apple green but with the golden eagle.
• 1935-1940: The same apple green color is maintained, without texture and with the double decal.
• 1940-1943: The order is received to paint all the helmets with the new color assigned to the Kriegsmarine, slate gray with a rough texture. The decal of the national emblem is suppressed.
• 1943-1945: In the M42 model, the same grayish color and rough texture are maintained, but in 1943 all the decals are removed, leaving the helmet neutral.