Original German WWII M38 Late War Fallschirmjäger No Decal Helmet CKL68
This is an original late-war German WWII M38 Fallschirmjäger paratrooper helmet, manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk Thale and properly stamped CKL68, the late-war code used by the ET factory, which is very faint and covered with the factory paint. This example is a factory no-decal helmet, completely consistent with 1944–45 production when decals were officially discontinued.
The exterior retains its original rough-textured field-gray combat finish, showing honest service wear, scattered scrapes, and a light, even some minor patina throughout. All four spanner bolts are present; one rear spanner bolt is a period original replacement, though the exact date of replacement is unknown. The remaining bolts match well and are textbook late-war steel fittings.
Inside, the helmet retains its original tan leather paratrooper liner, which shows age darkening, wear, and dryness. The liner is stamped with a late-war RB-Nr. (Reichsbetriebsnummer) maker code—typical of 1943–45 contracted production. Under the RB-Nr. is the standard size information, which can still be partially read:
R. Betr-Nr. 0/0901/0111
Kopfgröße 56
Stahlhelmgröße 68”
The liner also has a tear across the rear leather band, a common area of stress in M38 liners, but it remains complete and correctly attached to the liner band.
The helmet retains its original interior padding with their black fabric cover intact. The chinstrap harness is the correct blue leather dyed and appears to be a correct late-war Type 3 Fallschirmjäger harness, identifiable by its simplified construction and the slider buckle, a late-production feature. The straps show typical service wear and remain fully attached. The straps are a little dry, but still very supple and could use some conditioner or left alone.
The inside skirt shows heavy late-war texture, and although the maker stamp is faint, the lot/batch number is no longer readable, likely obscured by the coarse paint and age patina, something frequently seen on CKL shells.
Overall, this is a highly desirable untouched late-war M38 Fallschirmjäger helmet, complete with its original liner system, RB-Nr.-marked liner, late-war Type 3 harness, and factory no decal finish. An excellent and fully original example for any advanced airborne or elite-forces collection in very good to excellent condition.
