Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition, smart-looking officer pickelhaube from a Prussian Infantry Regiment, which was most likely used during World War One. The Pickelhaube of commissioned officers holding a rank from Lieutenant to Colonel are all identical in features, but not quality. The quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wished to spend. A lowly Lieutenant's helmet may be of much higher quality than one worn by a Colonel. As expected, officer helmets were of a much higher quality than the issued version and utilized the "squared finger" liners until 1880, when the internal leather sweatband and silk skull-cap came into use.

Regardless of the unit, officer Pickelhaube share common features such as: the undersides of visors are lined, Officer Kokarden are carried, and the "egg & dart" Perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and chinscales were worn. The officer's Pickelhaube was basically unchanged from 1871 to 1899 when it had a more domed shape, and from 1899 to the end it had more of a skull shape. Otherwise, with the exception of the addition of the Reich's Kokarde in 1897, the officer's Haube was mostly the same from 1871 to 1918. As with most pickelhauben, they are made from boiled leather, which is then lacquered black.

The overall condition of this officer's pickelhaube is good. All of the helmet's furniture is highly-detailed gilt aluminumbronze alloy, and the gilding is still mostly present and bright.

The front wappen features Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown. There is a small "Iron Cross" emblem on the bottom of the eagle, which is marked in very small text with the Kingdom of Prussia's Motto:

mit Gott
Für König und
Vaterland
1813

This translates to "With God for King and Country," i.e. Prussia, over the year 1813, when King Frederick William III of Prussia established the Iron Cross award. It is held in place by the original square nut and bolt assembly.

The chin scales are in very good condition, solid and functional with full leather behind them and large split pin attachment present.

Both kokarden (cockades) are present, and are of high-end two piece construction, with detailed casting. In 1897 a new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of the helmet, and the state Kokarde was moved to the left. Both cockades are present on this helmet, and they are in good condition, with the paint retained. The alloy central bands have oxidized and faded from their original bright appearance.

The top spike is a classic example, with all four star shaped attachment split pins intact, and the correct round base. The "egg and dart" perlring around the bottom is in great shape, though the base is slightly crumpled on the left side from past damage. The top of the spike can be unscrewed for the attachment of a parade plume, as was common with officer pickelhauben.

The helmet's interior reveals no depot marks or maker marks, so it was most likely bespoke. The underside of the front visor is green, while the rear is red, a color combination that we see on most of the officer pickelhauben we handle. Fortunately the front and rear visors are still very well attached. There is definitely age to the exterior black finish, which has small cracks and crazing, as well as areas of deterioration and deformation.

The inside liner is still present, including the skull cap which is partially detached. The cap is torn in a couple areas but is retained at about 90%. The top of the skull cap is marked faintly with what appears to be Lieut followed by a name, both of which cannot be read fully. The leather sweat band is still supple and complete. It is approximately a size 6 3/4 US (54cm).

Overall a wonderful interior, much more complete and in better condition that most we encounter.

A very appealing Model 1897 Officer Pickelhaube helmet, ready to display!