Germany. A Scarce Luftwaffe Pilot’s Skk-90 Anti-Flak Flight Helmet Manufactured By Siemens

This is an extremely well preserved example of a rarely encountered Luftwaffe Pilot’s SKK-90 Anti-Flak Flight helmet manufactured by Siemens. This helmet is round, in the shape of half a medicine ball, constructed of interlocking and hinged steel plates (magnetic) designed to protect the wearer’s head from anti-aircraft shrapnel. The entire helmet is covered in multiple pieces of thick dark brown leather, with cutouts around the ears, designed to accommodate the earphones used by the Luftwaffe. The interior of the helmet is lined in olive-green cotton-rayon blended fabric, stitched into place using brown cotton twill, and featuring a manufacturing tag from Siemens. The tag reads “Siemens - Baumuster SSK 90 - Hersteller Luftfahrtgerätewerk Hakenfelde GMBH, Striwa - Kopfgröße”. The crown of the cap features a padded leather “comb”, designed to absorb frontal impact in the event of a crash landing. Towards the left and right sides are two male-ended button snaps, with leather retainers. The chin strap is constructed of multiple pieces of black-tanned leather, and snaps into both of the button-snaps per side. The chin strap loops through a metal loop, and snaps into a button-snap on a keeper-tab. This helmet measures approximately 260 mm x 225m mm x 160 mm tall. It is in gently worn condition, with light scuffing on the exterior liner, and light to moderate staining on the interior liner from sweat. In overall extremely fine condition. A rare piece.

Footnote: This helmet was officially adopted by the Luftwaffe on May 8, 1941, and was exclusively manufactured by the Siemens Company. However, it was discontinued on May 26th of the same year due to weight issues of the helmet encountered during high-speed maneuvers. It was replaced by what is now known as the standard Luftwaffe Anti-Flak steel helmet.