{"product_id":"original-german-wwi-bavarian-m1886-1914-infantry-officer-pickelhaube-spiked-helmet-spike-welded-back-on","title":"Original German WWI Bavarian M1886\/1914 Infantry Officer Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet - Spike Welded Back On","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original German WWI Bavarian officer’s Pickelhaube, representing the M1886 helmet with the simplified 1914 Bavarian front plate. The helmet is constructed from black-lacquered leather with brass fittings and retains the characteristic Bavarian cruciform spike base, officer-quality star retainers, Bavarian and Reich cockades, officer chin scales, original sweatband and skull-cap lining, and a size marking of 57 1\/2. The principal condition issue is the spike, which was broken away at some point and has been welded and glued back into position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M1886\/14 Bavarian Pickelhaube was the final evolution in a long series of spiked helmets, and is very similar to the Prussian version. The M1886 version features a cruciform spike base on ALL helmets, both enlisted and officer. The star retaining pins on the base definitely identify this as an officer. It also has the M1886\/1914 modified wappen, which removed the branches and bay-leaf ornamentation around the Lions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all pickelhauben, it was manufactured from boiled leather, lacquered black, and provided with fittings made of brass or German silver, dependent upon the Regt. The protection it offered was very limited and led to the eventual replacement by a steel helmet in 1916.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet features a brass infantry wappen (front plate) with the Bavarian coat of arms, over the kingdom's motto,\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e In Treue Fest\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, German for \"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003esteadfast in loyalty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e.\" It is complete with the \u003cb\u003eBavarian (blue and white)\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eGerman National Colors (red white and black) \u003c\/b\u003eKokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. In 1897 the 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, as on this helmet. These are retained by the slightly convex officer chin scales, which are secured directly to the helmet. There is very heavy degradation and corrosion to the Bavarian cockade, which has given it a heavy shadow behind it. The wappen similarly has a very well-defined shadow, showing that they have always been fitted to this helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spike on this example appears to have broken off, being welded and glued back into place. Please do not handle the helmet by the spike, as we are not sure how strongly attached it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior of the helmet still retains the leather sweat band as well as the skull cap. There is no major damage to either, just the typical and expected wear from use and age. The interior crown is inscribed \u003cb\u003e57½\u003c\/b\u003e, the size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black leather shell shows expected, but not egregious, crazing and wear. The lacquer finished leather is in nice condition with no serious issues. There is also a level of leather shrinkage due to age, the reason some of the brass fittings are somewhat loose. The helmet did go through some trauma, and the back visor is now bent inward from leather age, but the helmet has survived well overall. The spike was broken off but successfully reattached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe correct square front leather visor has brass trim in good condition, with a bit of looseness to the visor, which has some finish \"melting\" as often seen. The metal spine that descends from the spike's baseplate to the edge of the rear visor is also in very good condition, but as mentioned the rear visor is now bent inward. The stitching holding both the front and rear visors is still partly intact, though it is delicate, and has degraded over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1914 simplified Bavarian Wappen, cruciform spike base, officer star retainers, Bavarian and Reich cockades, officer chin scales, original interior, and size 57 1\/2 marking, this remains a strong representative example of a Bavarian WWI officer Pickelhaube. The repaired spike, corroded Bavarian cockade, bent rear visor, leather shrinkage, and fragile stitching are significant condition factors, but the helmet retains its major original components and strong overall character.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666475212869,"sku":"ONSV26EMC107","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/66528521-4118-45BA-9A35-D52E8C1D9E89.jpg?v=1788213779","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwi-bavarian-m1886-1914-infantry-officer-pickelhaube-spiked-helmet-spike-welded-back-on","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}