Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Imperial German WWI Prussian M1915 Artillery Kugelhelm, the enlisted artillery version of the Pickelhaube distinguished by its removable ball top, or Kugel, in place of the conventional spike. The helmet retains its Prussian Wappen, removable Kugel, oxidized steel trim, both cockades, and much of its original liner, though the chinstrap is a reproduction and the leather shell shows substantial age deterioration.

The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued prior to the move to all 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.

This Helmet features a oxidized steel frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King's motto, "Mit Gott Für Koenig und Vaterland" (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The wappen is secured via leather wedges on the reverse, but it is attached through new holes, not the original two.

The crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable ball (kugel) mounted on an oxidized steel baseplate. The ball is in fair condition, and is removable using the "bayonet-style" attaching system, but the spike base underneath is a bit larger so it requires force to remove and attach. The front leather visor has oxidized steel trim in very good condition, though some of the stitching may be new. The metal spine that descends from the spike's baseplate to the edge of the rear visor is a bit dented from the heavy leather degradation, but the adjustable vent is still movable.

It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. The attached chinstrap is a reproduction example and looks fine on the helmet.

The interior features a now-weak leather liner which is cracking and very worn. There is heavy wear to the interior crown with no distinguishing markings. The rear visor looks to have had a white ink maker’s stamp and size marking but due to dry rot they are not very readable. 

The black leather shell now shows heavy wear with crazing in other spots. The rear visor of the helmet has very heavy dry rot damage and is now very stiff.

The combination of the M1915 artillery Kugel configuration, oxidized steel fittings, Prussian Wappen, removable ball top, both cockades, surviving liner, and traces of original interior markings makes this a worthwhile representative example of a wartime Prussian artillery helmet. The relocated Wappen, reproduction chinstrap, possible visor restitching, dented rear spine, weak liner, and severe rear-visor dry rot are the principal condition issues, while the helmet still retains the major components that identify it as an enlisted M1915 Prussian Kugelhelm.