Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition, smart-looking officer’s Ersatz Vulcan Fibre 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.

This example is embossed on the sweatband with the a logo and DEPAHEG PATENT. This was a maker of pickelhaubes who exclusively made them in Vulcan Fibre, an early form of plastic. This is one of the most difficult “Ersatz” materials to find, as the shells were often easily broken as a result of trauma. This example appears to correctly have leather front and rear visors but a Vulcan Fibre body.

The overall condition of this officer's pickelhaube is good. All of the helmet's furniture is highly-detailed gilt aluminum bronze alloy, but the gilding is mostly gone now. 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). The chin scales are in very good condition, solid and functional with full leather behind them and large split pin attachment present.

The helmet is missing both of the officer’s Kokarden (cockades). The chinscales are well-retained and just show some stiffness to the leather backing. The top spike is in rough condition as it is splitting along the bottom seam which can be seen by viewing it from the side or back. When handling this pickelhaube, do so via the shell itself, as continued stress on the spike will cause it to break off. All four star shaped attachment split pins intact, and the correct round base. The "egg and dart" perlring around the bottom is in fair shape, though the base is splitting as shown. The top of the spike can be unscrewed for the attachment of a parade plume, as was common with officer pickelhauben.

As mentioned the leather sweatband has an embossed maker marking, but the silk skull cap is now mostly detached. There is definitely age to the exterior black finish, which has small cracks and crazing, but thanks to the Vulcan Fibre, it has retained its shape well. 

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