Stamped sheet steel construction M40 style helmet with the addition of an embossed horizontal "bead" positioned at the apex of the front and rear visors and crown. Original Luftschutz decal to the front. The helmet has an embossed cut-out ventilation hole to each side of the crown and all three of the liner retaining rivets are intact. The interior of the helmet has a M31 civic style, leather liner with ventilation perforations to the front forehead section the liner has all seven fingers. Liner is size marked 56. All four of the natural cork spacers positioned between the liner and the helmet shell are still intact. Marked "Q64", indicating manufacture by F.W. Quist, G.m.b.H. Esslingen, size 664 A very nice helmet complete with chinstrap. EXCELLENT Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after Hitler ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.