Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic condition, turn of the century Imperial German pickelhaube Fire helmet, made with the standard boiled leather body, and all of the fittings look to be very attractive German Silver alloy. These include the fire brigade top comb, the trim for the front and rear visors, as well as the chin scales and other fittings. The front plate (wappen) looks to be silver plated nickel silver, which must have been quite striking when it was brand new.

The central plate has a "Two-tailed Lion" in the central oval, which is surrounded by a lovely "Oak Leaf and Acorn" motif. There are fire axe heads protruding from the upper sides of the central oval, and there is a fire brigade helmet with F on the front at the top. At the bottom of the Wappen is a scroll with the German Fireman’s motto GOTT ZUR EHR DEM NÄCHSTEN ZUR WEHR which means "Honor God - Defend your neighbor (against fire)."

The helmet has the typical hallmarks of an officer's pickelhaube, including the lovely chin scales, the "skullcap" style fabric and leather liner, and the red (rear) and green (front) undersides of the visors. The liner is in very good condition, with the leather in great shape, though the fabric skullcap has unfortunately detached from the leather in many places. We did look under the skullcap, and did not see any maker or other markings.

The chin strap is in very good condition, with supple leather and an intact buckle. The right side attachment looks to have an officer's style Black and Silver Prussian cockade, though it may be a Reichskokarde that has lost the red paint. The left side has a silver Hessian cockade with two red stripes going around the circumference.

Condition overall is very good, and this configuration was typical of the 1890-1910 period. Interior crown has two original comb anchors secured under the bolts for the top comb. There are no other markings inside the helmet, though there does look to be some writing on the underside of the rear visor, which we cannot make out.

This is an unusual and very attractive item. Offered in very good condition. Size is not marked but we estimate it to be 54-56 cm.