{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-m1915-prussian-ersatz-stahlblech-steel-pickelhaube-by-gebruder-bing-nurnberg-with-national-cockade-marked-to-vii-armee-korps-repair-depot","title":"Original Imperial German WWI M1915 Prussian Ersatz Stahlblech Steel Pickelhaube by Gebrüder Bing, Nürnberg with National Cockade Marked to VII Armee-Korps Repair Depot","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of an Ersatz (Replacement Material) Stahlblech Steel Pickelhaube. This is only the second one we have ever received, making this a rare offering from IMA! When WWI broke out, there was a great need for additional helmets and equipment for the mobilization. A shortage of cow hide from Argentina combined with the excessive draw upon German industry to outfit the massive army being mobilized, resulted in a severe shortage of leather for manufacturing Pickelhauben. To meet with this immediate shortage, the Germans began in 1914 manufacturing helmets from Ersatz (substitute) materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Stahlblech Ersatz-Helme differs from the Eisenblech (tin plate) Pickelhaube as the helmet is pressed from one sheet of steel. Front and rear visors are part of the pressing and are not separate pieces like the traditional boiled leather Pickelhaubes. These helmets often show evidence of being turned on a lathe by the circular patterns found on the shell as can be seen on this example. As these helmets were structurally quite strong, there was no need for the reinforcing front visor trim or rear spine. In lieu of the front visor trim, the entire bottom edge has been rolled-over to form a beaded edge, a feature later used on the M1916 Steel Helmet which replaced the Pickelhaube. The helmet has been painted an olive-green which is not lightly faded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet features a lovely frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King's motto, \u003cstrong\u003eMIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND\u003c\/strong\u003e (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The Preußen issued Wappen in 1895 were intended to be made out of Tombak (an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc) but it seems that the copper-color was unpopular and they were soon replaced with Aluminiumbronze which has a very bright brass appearance, though this one is made of stamped steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crown of this helmet displays a steel vented enlisted spike mount on a steel baseplate. The spike is in good condition, and as per the later pattern it does appear to  be rotatable, but we cannot get it to come off, so it is likely seized. The baseplate is also a bit loose on the helmet, but it still sits well for display. It is missing the Prussian (black and white) kokarden, but does retain the original German National Colors (red white and black) kokarden (cockade) around the chin strap lugs. There is a chinstrap present, but it is a modern reproduction. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe soldered bolt and nut system used to secure the front Wappen onto the helmet was changed to a system for retaining Wappen on the front of helmets that had been used as far back as 1845 for Bayern (Bavarian) helmets and 1867 for Sachsen (Saxon) helmets. A soldered loop was affixed to the back of the Wappen which passed through corresponding grommeted holes on the front of the helmet. A leather wedge was then passed through the loop on the interior to keep the Wappen in place. Both Leather wedges are still present, and look to be possible replacements which were taped over. There is no leather sweatband or lining of any type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear visor is marked with \u003cstrong\u003eB. I. A. VIII\u003c\/strong\u003e which we believe to be a depot stamp for the \u003cstrong\u003eVII Armee-Korps (Münster) Instandsetzung Samt\u003c\/strong\u003e - repair depot. This would be a great start to a research opportunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a lovely example of a service used Ersatz steel Pickelhaube. Items such as these ones rarely surface in today’s market, marking this a wonderful addition to any Imperial German collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes more than ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42175345655877,"sku":"ONJR24NM009","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24NM009__03.jpg?v=1732310559","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-m1915-prussian-ersatz-stahlblech-steel-pickelhaube-by-gebruder-bing-nurnberg-with-national-cockade-marked-to-vii-armee-korps-repair-depot","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}