Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice condition Imperial German Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube from the Kingdom of Württemberg. 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 grey 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. The front wappen features the Coat of Arms of Württemberg, with a shield in the center showing three antlers that represent Württemberg on the left side, and the three lions of medieval Swabia on the right side. There is a wreath surrounding it made of Laurels on the right and Oak Leaves on the left. The Crowned Lion of Swabia supports the shield to the left, and the Stag of Württemberg supports it on the right. On a banner at the bottom is the motto of the kingdom: FURCHTLOS UND TREW ("Fearless and loyal").  The wappen is held in place by the standard leather wedges on the inside of the shell, which are both in good shape, as is the wappen itself.

It is complete with the Württemberg (Red and Black) and German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (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. The included cockades are both original, with the national cockade having a bit of paint loss. 

The attached chinstrap is complete, but appears to be a later replacement with original fittings for display.

The interior features a lovely original leather liner which retains all of its fingers without any tearing, although the leather itself is a bit crazed and cracked. The rear skirt is stamped with a date of 1915 as well as a depot stamp, B.A.8. Tr.A.8., this likely indicates VIII Armee-Korps (Coblenz), with the 2nd marking likely being a unit marking, but this is worthy of further research.

The exterior of the helmet shell is in rough condition with heavy cracking and crazing in the leather. The front and rear visors are still attached with intact stitching, another rarity. The fittings are mostly tight to the helmet, with a correct removable top spike. Overall a very good condition Imperial German pickelhaube from the Kingdom of Württemberg with a replacement chinstrap, perfect for any WWI collection!