Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The German Customs Service can be traced back to 1834 when a Customs Union was formed to allow the separate German States to trade amongst themselves without trade and tariff taxes, while still imposing import trade taxes on other European nations. With the unification of the German States into a single nation in 1871 the Customs Service became a national paramilitary organization, under control of the Reichsfinanzministerium, (National Finance Ministry), in Berlin. The national Customs Service was still responsible for imposing and collecting import trade taxes but was also tasked with border defense duties.
This is a very good condition smart-looking, officer pickelhaube from a Prussian Customs Officer, which was most likely used during World War One. The Pickelhaube of commissioned officers holding a rank from Lieutenant to Colonel are all identical in features, but not quality. The quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wished to spend. A lowly Lieutenant's helmet may be of much higher quality than one worn by a Colonel. As expected, officer helmets were of a much higher quality than the issued version and utilized the "squared finger" liners until 1880, when the internal leather sweatband and silk skull-cap came into use.
Regardless of the unit, officer Pickelhaube share common features such as: the undersides of visors are lined, Officer Kokarden are carried, and the "egg & dart" Perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and chinscales were worn. SInce this is a Customs Officer, the egg and dart perling is not present. The officer's Pickelhaube was basically unchanged from 1871 to 1899 when it had a more domed shape, and from 1899 to the end it had more of a skull shape. Otherwise, with the exception of the addition of the Reich's Kokarde in 1897, the officer's Haube was mostly the same from 1871 to 1918. As with most pickelhauben, they are made from boiled leather, which is then lacquered black.
The overall condition of this officer's pickelhaube is very good. All of the helmet's furniture is highly-detailed gilt aluminumbronze alloy, and the gilding is still mostly present and bright. The Prussian Customs wappen (coat of arms) features a large eagle with the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia) and King’s monogram in the center. The chin scales are in good condition, there is however a repair present and hold the chin strap together.
Only one of the kokarden (cockades) are present, and is of high-end two piece construction, with detailed casting. In 1897 a 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. The alloy central bands have oxidized and faded from their original bright appearance.
The top spike is a classic customs example, with all four star shaped attachment split pins intact, and the correct round base. The top of the spike can not be unscrewed for the attachment of a parade plume, as was common with officer pickelhauben.
The helmet's interior reveals no depot marks or maker marks, so it was most likely bespoke. The underside of the front visor is green, while the rear is red, a color combination that we see on most of the officer pickelhauben we handle. Unfortunately both the front and rear visors have had the stitching pull and deteriorate, so they are held on more by the fittings than the stitching. There is definitely age to the exterior black finish, which has small cracks and crazing, as well as areas of deterioration.
The inside liner is still present without the silk skull cap which is so often removed. The leather sweat band is still supple and complete. It is approximately a size 6 3/4 US (54cm). Overall a wonderful interior, much more complete and in better condition that most we encounter.
Overall a very appealing Model 1897 Customs Officer Pickelhaube helmet, ready to display!
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