Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of an Imperial German Bavarian Line Infantry M1915 Pickelhaube for an enlisted man or NCO. Dated 1916 and bearing a partially legible Berlin maker’s stamp, the helmet retains its original leather shell, oxidized steel fittings, removable infantry spike, Bavarian front plate, rear ventilation spine, and heavily worn original liner. The chinstrap is a reproduction, and the Bavarian state cockade may also be a replacement.

The M1915 was the final general pattern of Pickelhaube introduced before the widespread adoption of the steel helmet. In response to wartime material shortages and the need to reduce reflective surfaces, the bright brass, German silver, and Tombak fittings associated with earlier helmets were replaced by gray oxidized steel fittings. As with previous patterns, the shell was constructed from shaped leather with a black lacquered exterior.

The entire helmet has been treated with an oil and is now somewhat slippery as a result. Care should be taken when handling the helmet.

The front is fitted with an oxidized steel Bavarian Wappen depicting the crowned coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria above the state motto:

IN TREUE FEST

The motto translates as:

Steadfast in Loyalty

The crown of the helmet is fitted with the vented enlisted pattern removable spike mounted on an oxidized steel base plate. The spike is currently very difficult to remove and requires considerable force. Attempting to unscrew it may risk damaging the aged leather shell or fittings. The rear spine retains its ventilation shutter. The shutter is also difficult to move, and the rear spine is somewhat loose at its mounting.

The helmet retains the black, white, and red national cockade on the right side. A blue and gray Bavarian state cockade is fitted on the left. The Bavarian cockade appears unusually clean in comparison with the rest of the helmet and may be a reproduction. The national cockade was introduced in 1897 to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm I. It was worn on the right side of the helmet, while the individual state cockade was positioned on the left, as arranged on this example.

The attached leather chinstrap is a reproduction. This replacement is disclosed and should not be considered an original component of the helmet. The original leather liner remains present but is heavily worn and dry rotted. The original tie string is missing, and there is material loss along the liner’s edge.

The interior crown has a size stamp, 55, and a maker’s stamp, reading:

Leru, Kinger & Co.
1916
Berlin

The stamp is a small bit faded so this may be incorrect. The interior crown also has an inscribed name, Hösch, the soldier who wore this. There are no markings along the visor, but there is some dry rot and staining from oil. The exterior of the helmet shell is in fair shape, with heavy crazing to the leather and bending to the leather of the front visor, and the black enamel still exhibits a nice sheen. There are areas of cracking and checking, but they just serve to add to the lovely patina of age. The front and rear visors are still quite well attached to the helmet but the front visor is missing much of its stitching.

The Kingdom of Bavaria maintained its own military identity within the Imperial German Army, including distinctive uniforms, insignia, and helmet plates. Bavarian troops had retained the traditional crested Raupenhelm longer than most German states and did not adopt the Pickelhaube until the late 19th century. Their helmets were readily distinguished by the Bavarian coat of arms and the state cockade in the Bavarian colors.

The simplified M1915 fittings reflected the pressures of industrialized warfare. Bright metal ornamentation was no longer practical for large scale wartime manufacture, while the detachable spike allowed the helmet to be worn with a lower profile in the field. In 1916, the leather Pickelhaube began to be replaced in frontline service by the M1916 Stahlhelm, which provided substantially greater protection from shell fragments and other battlefield hazards.

This helmet retains the principal elements of a Bavarian M1915 enlisted Pickelhaube, including its dated leather shell, oxidized steel front plate and spike assembly, rear ventilation spine, national cockade, and original liner. The reproduction chinstrap, possibly replaced Bavarian cockade, heavily deteriorated liner, oiled surface, and deformation are important condition factors. This would be a welcome addition to any collection focused on Bavarian military history or Imperial German headgear.