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Item: ONJR25FEAA080
Original Imperial German WWI Named & Unit Marked Prussian Artillery Officer Model 1895 Pickelhaube Helmet - Railway Labor Company 59 - Kugelhelm
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service-worn officer’s pickelhaube named on the interior to Lieutenant Sieger of E.A.59, or Railway Labor Company 59. On this version of the Pickelhaube, a ball representing a cannon ball replaced the usual spike, leading this to be referred to as an Artillerie Kugelhelm (Artillery Ball-Top Helm). The M1895 was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of pickelhaube helmets. The helmet has some condition issues, especially concerning the chinscales, but is solid overall.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. The helmet retains the correct all brass alloy fittings, and the "ball top" can still unscrew for the addition of a plume if desired.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 aluminum bronze alloy, and the gilding is still mostly present and bright. The Prussian wappen (coat of arms) features a large eagle with the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). It is retained by the correct washers and square nuts, which match those attaching the spike base to the top. The wappen has definitely been on the helmet undisturbed for a very long time, and has sunken into the finish on the helmet.The curved artillery chin scales are in fair condition, but one side, the side with the Prussian cockade, has broken off near the end. This piece can be inserted back into where it was for display, but will fall out if moved too much. Both officer’s kokarden (cockades) are present. 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 very good condition, with the paint well retained, showing staining and age related deterioration.The top “ball” is a classic example, with three of the four star shaped attachment split pins intact, and the correct round base. One of the four pins are gone. The "egg and dart" perlring around the bottom is in great shape. The top of the ball can be unscrewed for the attachment of a parade plume, as was common with officer pickelhauben.The interior lining shows fair service use, and the leather sweatband is inscribed Lt. Sieger E.A. 59, which based on our research would indicate Railway Labor Company 59. This is certainly worthy of further research! There is definitely heavy age and wear to the exterior black finish, which has multiple cracks and crazing across the entire shell, as well as areas of deterioration and flaking. The front and rear visor are still firmly attached to the helmet, but the rear visor is curling inward on both sides due to age and wear.The liner and silk skull cap are both intact but show service wear. The leather sweatband is still supple and complete. There are no sizes marked anywhere that we can see on the interior.Overall a very appealing Officer’s Kugelhelm helmet, ready to display!
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