Rare WWII BULGARIAN POLICE OFFICER Luftschutz GLADIATOR helmet « Bulgarian Militaria « Home

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Rare WWII BULGARIAN POLICE OFFICER Luftschutz GLADIATOR helmet

We offer German Luftschutz gladiator type helmet, used in Bulgarian royal police and gendarmery before and during the WWII. By that time Bulgaria is Germany's ally and national army was supplied with German and Austrian military equipment. The Gladiator helmets were used in Bulgarian army unit called "Protivovazdushna i Himimicheska Zashtita" - Anti Air and Chemical Defense; only few of them in Bulgarian police. The helmet presented here has two holes at front to hold the two badges: the upper one is round national color badge; the central one is Bulgarian police badge shield illustrating the enranged lion on a red shield. The red enamel here is missing at some places. However this helmet is very precious for it survived the post war years and communist regime when all royal symbols were destroyed, owners of such items severely punished.

The helmet is of 3 pieces construction, has two groups of seven ventilation holes to either side of the crown. Original stamp on the neck guard "RL 2 - 38/28".

Interior of the helmet has a three pad, WWI style, leather liner with each pad having two fingers. Helmet completes with blackened leather chinstraps. One of them is torn and the buckles are missing.
Liner approx size L, EU 57 - 58.

Shell retains its original paint which is slightly damaged by rust.

RARE and PRECIOUS FIND FOR HELMET AND WWII COLLECTORS!