Original Item: Only One Available. A lovely example of an M-1915 Imperial Prussian Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube in good condition. The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued prior to the move to steel helmets. In accordance with the 1915 regulations, these helmets would no longer use brass, silver, or Tombak as the M1895 did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use gray oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments. As with previous versions, the body was constructed from boiled leather, which was shaped and lacquered black.

This helmet features an oxide plated steel frontplate (wappen), and the crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mounted on a steel baseplate, which is still able to be removed. There is also a small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets, which is able to be moved still. The front wappen features a crowned Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and orb in its claws, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The wappen retains the original leather retaining wedges which are in untouched condition.

It has been completed with reproduction Kokarden for the German National Colors (red white and black) and Prussian (black and white). They are good reproductions and work well on the helmet. The attached chinstrap is also a reproduction, but it very much looks the part.

The original liner is present and in good condition. The liner is still soft, but is cracked and slightly torn at the back as shown. The interior crown is marked with a size, 56 and date, 1916. The rear visor is covered in markings, including two unit markings, R.R.A. 18 and P.B. 21. We could not identify the first marking, but we know that P.B. denotes a Pionierbataillon, or “Combat Engineer Battalion”. The official name for this battalion is Das 1. Nassauische Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 21. The rear visor also has a maker’s mark with another 1916 date, and a written name in German. This certainly makes for some good research potential!

The exterior of the helmet shell is in good shape, but there is heavy crazing anf cracking of the material as shown, but they just serve to add to the lovely patina of age. The front and rear visors are in good shape, but the trim on the front visor is a bit disconnected from leather shrinkage. 

This is a very nice Imperial Prussian pickelhaube, perfect for any WWI collection!