{"product_id":"original-german-wwi-bavarian-m1886-1914-infantry-officer-pickelhaube-with-period-replaced-liner-and-prussian-cockades","title":"Original German WWI Bavarian M1886\/1914 Infantry Officer Pickelhaube with Period-Replaced Liner and Prussian Cockades","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a service-worn but visually impressive Imperial German WWI Bavarian infantry officer’s Pickelhaube of the Model 1886\/1914 pattern, retaining its brass fittings, tall fluted spike, officer’s cruciform spike base, Bavarian front plate, chin scales, and rear spine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet has undergone several repairs and alterations during its long history. The interior liner was replaced many years ago, the cockades appear incorrect (Prussian), and the front visor has become detached from its original stitching and was later reattached. The black lacquered leather shell also shows surface loss, shrinkage, and deterioration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite these condition issues, the helmet retains the unmistakable appearance of a Royal Bavarian Army officer’s Pickelhaube from the opening period of WWI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bavarian Model 1886 represented the kingdom’s adoption of the leather spiked helmet already associated with Prussia and other German states. Bavarian examples remained visually distinctive through their cruciform spike bases and front plates displaying the royal coat of arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike most Prussian infantry helmets, Bavarian officer Pickelhauben were fitted with a square front visor, cruciform spike base, and tall fluted spike. Officer helmets were further distinguished by star-shaped retaining studs and decorative trim around the spike base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of this helmet retains the correct tall, fluted officer’s spike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spike can be unscrewed from the base, allowing the helmet to be fitted with a parade plume for ceremonial occasions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath it is the distinctive Bavarian cruciform spike base. The base is secured by officer-quality star-shaped retaining studs, one of the principal features identifying the helmet as an officer’s example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower edge of the spike assembly displays the decorative egg-and-dart pattern commonly called the Perlring. This ornamental treatment is characteristic of officer-quality fittings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass front plate, or Wappen, displays the crowned Bavarian coat of arms supported by two lions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the arms is the Bavarian royal motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIN TREUE FEST\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis translates approximately as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteadfast in Loyalty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front plate is the modified 1914 officer pattern. Compared with the earlier Model 1886 plate, the 1914 version was reduced and simplified by removing the leafy branches and ornamental vines formerly intertwined around the supporting lions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plate remains visually impressive but is somewhat loose because the leather shell has shrunk and deteriorated beneath it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy surface wear and material loss are visible on the black leather, particularly behind and below the front plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet currently retains two black-and-white cockades that appear to be Prussian state cockades. These are not the correct pair for a Bavarian officer’s helmet. Beginning in 1897, a Bavarian helmet should display the blue-and-white Bavarian state cockade on the wearer’s left side and the red, white, and black Imperial Reich cockade on the wearer’s right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is possible that one cockade has suffered enough paint loss to obscure traces of its original blue coloration. However, neither currently displays the correct red, white, and black Imperial color arrangement, so they are conservatively described as incorrect replacements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cockades are retained by a set of officer-quality brass chin scales. The scales have a slightly convex profile and are secured directly to the helmet. Bavarian officer regulations changed in February 1914 to introduce convex chin scales across officer Pickelhauben, including infantry examples, making this feature consistent with the helmet’s Model 1886\/1914 configuration. The chin scales remain substantially complete and present well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is, however, heavy wear to the leather shell behind them. The surrounding material should be handled carefully to prevent further tearing or separation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet retains its correct square front visor with brass edge trim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass trim remains in good overall condition but is somewhat loose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visor itself shows deterioration and areas where the black finish has softened, distorted, or developed the “melted” appearance frequently encountered on aged lacquered leather helmets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front visor appears to have separated from the helmet body after its original stitching failed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was reattached at some point, but little or none of the original stitching now remains securely connected. The visor currently sags and should be supported carefully during handling or display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear visor remains attached, and its original stitching is still substantially intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA brass rear spine extends from the cruciform spike base to the lower edge of the rear visor. It remains in very good condition and helps reinforce the back of the helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior is fitted with a black leather replacement liner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe replacement liner shows considerable age and could have been installed during the helmet’s period of use or during the early postwar era. However, no documentation accompanies the helmet, so its exact date of installation cannot be confirmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt should be described simply as an old, period-style replacement rather than the helmet’s original factory liner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior skull cap remains present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo owner’s name, unit stamp, size marking, or manufacturer’s mark was located.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black lacquered leather shell shows substantial age and service wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition issues include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy loss and deterioration of the leather surface beneath the front plate\u003cbr\u003eShrinkage of the leather shell\u003cbr\u003eLoose brass fittings caused by shrinkage\u003cbr\u003eDetached and poorly reattached front visor\u003cbr\u003eMissing or failed front visor stitching\u003cbr\u003eSagging front visor\u003cbr\u003eLoose front visor trim\u003cbr\u003eFinish deterioration on the visor\u003cbr\u003eHeavy wear behind the chin scales\u003cbr\u003eOld replacement liner\u003cbr\u003eIncorrect or heavily altered cockades\u003cbr\u003eGeneral scratches, scuffs, cracking, and age-related distortion\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pickelhaube provided relatively little protection against the artillery fragments, shrapnel, and other hazards of modern industrial warfare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring WWI it was commonly worn beneath a cloth helmet cover, which reduced the visibility of its reflective brass fittings. By 1916, German forces were increasingly issued the new steel Stahlhelm, which offered far greater battlefield protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pickelhaube nevertheless remained one of the defining symbols of the Imperial German Army and continued to appear in rear-area, dress, and ceremonial use through the end of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBavaria retained its own monarchy, military traditions, uniforms, and insignia within the German Empire. The combination of the Bavarian coat of arms and Imperial cockade system symbolized the soldier’s loyalty both to the Kingdom of Bavaria and to the wider German Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet’s condition reflects more than a century of use, repair, storage, and leather shrinkage. It is not a high-condition or untouched example, but it retains many of the officer features that give Bavarian Pickelhauben their distinctive appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cruciform spike base, star retainers, egg-and-dart decoration, tall fluted spike, brass Bavarian Wappen, officer chin scales, square visor, and rear spine combine to create an impressive display despite the replaced and damaged components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA character-filled Royal Bavarian infantry officer’s helmet representing the final ornate generation of Pickelhaube worn as the German Army entered the modern warfare of WWI.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44632332566597,"sku":"ONAC25SD1198","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD1198.jpg?v=1771009632","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwi-bavarian-m1886-1914-infantry-officer-pickelhaube-with-period-replaced-liner-and-prussian-cockades","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}