WWII German M42 No Decal Waffen-SS Helmet Identified to Uscha. Raimonds Galdiņš & Oscha. W. Döhler (Size 66)

Description

This original WWII German M42 no decal Waffen-SS helmet is identified to two different members of the Waffen-SS, Unterscharführer Raimonds Galdiņš, a confirmed Latvian Legionnaire, and Oberscharführer W. Döhler. View the Veterans' Information section for more details regarding their lives and military service. It exhibits a brush-applied, textured feldgrau field repaint. Unfortunately, it appears a prior owner attempted to uncover non-existent decals at the helmet's sides. The paint removal does not detract much from its overall appearance; however, leaving the helmet alone would have been preferred. That said, this helmet would serve as an ideal candidate for a camouflage helmet cover. The textured repaint has concealed the interior brim's factory, size, and lot number stampings; however, given the size 58 leather liner, we can conclude the shell is a size 66. Inscribed on the leather lining are the IDs of both Waffen-SS men: "R. Galdiņš, 34400" and "Oscha. W. Döhler". In addition to the liner, the interior retains its original drawstring. The helmet's split pins and washers are all original and show no signs of tampering.

Provenance

In July of 2025, Gustafson's acquired the inventory of Circa1941. This piece was among those acquisitions. Prior to Circa1941's possession, this helmet was acquired directly from a woman whose late husband was fortunate enough to be one of the first collectors to enter Latvia in the early-1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Condition Report

This helmet is in very good, lightly used condition. The leather liner retains all of its tongues; however, its chinstrap is missing.

Veterans' Information

1. Raimonds Galdiņš was born on October 16, 1926 in Lubana, Latvia. Given Heinrich Himmler's 1943 order regarding the Baltic States, it is unknown whether Galdiņš volunteered or was conscripted into the Waffen-SS. He eventually attained the rank of Unterscharführer (SS junior squad leader). Inscribed on the leather liner beneath his name is the feldpost number of "34400", which indicates he was a member of the 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Latvian Legion. Uscha. Galdiņš was wounded while defending the Pomeranian Wall. He was evacuated to a field hospital, Sanitätskompanie 21 (L.) Hauptverbandplätze, in Waski, Poland, where he died of his wounds on December 17, 1944. He is buried in the war cemetery in Dzukste, Latvia. Made available to the new owner below are Uscha. Galdiņš' records from the Volksbund Grave Registry.
   

• • Volksbund Grave Registry

1. Also marked on the helmet's liner is the ID of W. Döhler, who held the rank of Oberscharführer (SS sergeant). We could not locate Oscha. Döhler's records in the Volksbund Grave Registry, which indicates he potentially survived the war.