SOLD - Police M1940 Steel Helmet of SS-Brigadeführer and Knights Cross Awardee Hans Plesch

Type: Helmet
Maker: N/A
Caliber: N/A
Condition: Excellent
Bore: N/A
Year: WW2
View Description
was $8,500.00 Special Price $7,500.00
Availability: Out of stock
SKU
042319-5

5/1/19 - This is an original WW2 Nazi Police Helmet owned by a man named Hans Plesch. Scratched on the inside of the helmet, in the leather, are the words "Police" President" "Plesch". For the whole story, click the link below and watch the video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9-WArCGQgM&t=6s Overall, the helmet is in excellent condition. There are no major dings, but there is minor pin pricking, light surface scratches, small chips in the paint, and handling marks throughout. There are beginning signs of rust on the outer top dome of the helmet. The decals are vibrant in color and clear with just a few scratches. The leather on the inside is in great condition - no sweat marks, just a little bit of fraying/wear around the edges. The ink stamp on the inside dome of the helmet is crisp and visible. There is a little bit of rust on the inside of the helmet. Around the inside metal rim of the helmet is stamped "SE68" and "4901". The leather chinstrap is in nice condition but is starting to dry out and crack near the buckle holes. The helmet comes with a complete binder of information.

Standard issue combat helmet of the German Police (Ordnungspolizei) in World War II. SS-Brigadeführer and Generalmajor der Polizei Hans Plesch joined the NSDAP and SS in 1930. Previously, he entered the Army Reserve in 1924 and was later commissioned a Leutnant d.R. in Infantry Regiment 6. A lawyer by trade, Plesch worked in the Personnel Office of SS Upper Region North in Hamburg during 1934 – 1936, earning a promotion to SS-Sturmbannführer (Major) in 1935. In 1936 – 1937, he served as Stabsführer (Staff Leader) of SS-Abschnitts XVI in Magdeburg. He left fulltime employment with the SS in 1937 to take a position as Chief Operating Officer of his father-in-law’s Opel business in Oldenburg. Activated as a Reserve Army Officer in February 1940, Plesch participated in military operations against France and Russia as part of the 30th Infantry Division. While commanding 12th Company, Infantry Regiment 6, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Medal of Honor equivalent) on March 21, 1942 for extreme bravery during combat in the Demyansk Pocket. Severely wounded in this action, Plesch was discharged from active military service. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer (Colonel) in 1941 and SS-Oberführer (Senior Colonel) in 1943, he served at Police Headquarters in Dusseldorf. On April 7, 1943, Plesch was appointed Polizeipräsident München (Munich Police Chief) with the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei (Brigadier General of Police). In January 1944, a promotion to SS-Brigadeführer (Brigadier General) followed. On April 30, 1945, Plesch surrendered Munich to U. S. Army forces against the orders of Gauleiter Paul Giesler, who wished the city defended to the last man. A report published in 1945 by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) Evaluation and Dissemination Section G-2 (Counter Intelligence Sub-Division) entitled “The German Police” includes “Annex C: Polizeipräsidien” which lists all 64 Polizeipräsidien and assigned officers serving as Polizeipräsident during the war; there is only one Polizeipräsident Plesch: “SS-BF Hans PLESCH” on page C7.

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Free Shipping No
Condition Excellent
Bore N/A
Maker N/A
Year WW2
Type Helmet
Caliber N/A