Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used condition Imperial German Prussian M1889 Line Kürassier (Curassier) Heavy Cavalry Metal Lobster Tail Pickelhaube Helmet, fitted with an officer style leather and silk liner. This is one of the two varieties of Metalhelme (Metal Helmets) in use by the German Armed forces, the other of which are the Jäger zu Pferde Metalhelm worn by mounted dispatch riders. There is no size marked, but it seems to be around a 56-58cm, and it has definitely seen long service, having lost it's Kokarden (cockades) and chin scales long ago.

The M1889 was the last Pre-1914 model of metal pickelhaube helmet issued, and this example still has the lovely brass and nickeled hardware present. In 1915 regulations regarding all helmets changed, and they would no longer would use brass, silver, or Tombak as previous models did. All issued helmets were required to use grey oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments, where previously the curassier fittings had varied based on the regiment. The 1915 simplifications also did away with the chin scales, requiring the use of the M-91 leather chinstrap.

This pickelhaube has a basic three-piece construction: helmet, visor and extended rear protective neck guard. It is fabricated from nickel plated steel, though there is now wear and oxidation to the plating. Some has flaked off, and was repaired with silver paint. The helmet is topped by a partly nickel plated spike with two ventilation holes and a spike mounting base in the oval shape used by the heavy cavalry. This is held in place by four large brass dome bolts with brass nuts on the other side. The top portion of the spike rotates, allowing the vents to be closed if desired. The front comes with a visor designed with a turned-up lip, held in place by large capped brass rivets on either end.

The rear neck guard protrudes outwards, away from the body in the traditional "lobster tail" design, held in place with large capped brass rivets just inside the outer edge and two more at the rear neck line. The entire outer edge is trimmed with brass, including the visor and neck guard, protecting the wearer from the raw steel edges of the helmet itself. There is also a line of trim where the front visor meets the body of the helmet.

The front brass Dragoon-style wappen features Prussian state eagle clutching a rod (mostly missing) and orb, with FR on the breast for the first Prussian King, Frederick I (Fridericus Rex), who elevated Prussia from a Duchy to a Kingdom. It is held in place by the standard square nuts used on metalhelm wappen.

The interior helmet still has an original leather and silk liner, much like those used in offer pickelhaube during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has doe skin leather around the perimeter, with a red/orange silk skull cap, held in place by inner wires. There is wear to the leather and fading of the colors in the silk, but overall it has held up very well over at least 100 years, probably more.

Overall a nice condition Imperial German Prussian Line Kürassier Lobster Tail pickelhaube, perfect for any WWI collection! Ready to restore or display as is!