Item: ONSV8465
Original Imperial German WWI Prussian Infantry Officer Model 1897 Pickelhaube Helmet
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Original Item: Only One Available. Overall good condition to this officer’s spike helmet from a Prussian Infantry Regiment, most likely used during the Great War. The Pickelhaube of commissioned officers holding a rank from Lieutenant to Colonel are all identical in features, but not in quality. Quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wanted to spend. A lowly Lieutenant's helmet may be of much higher quality than one worn by a Colonel, depending on the depth of the officer’s pockets. 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 (cockardes ) are carried, and the "egg & dart" perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and brass chin scales were worn. The officer's Pickelhaube was essentially unchanged from 1871 to 1899 when it had a higher more domed shape, and from 1899 to the end it had a lower skull style 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 was then lacquered black.
The overall condition of this officer's pickelhaube is good. All of the helmet's furniture is highly-detailed gilt brass alloy, though over the years the gilding has mostly evaporated, and the brass has taken on a nice patina in some spots, especially the front plate. The Prussian 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 ). The Wappen and cockardes are held in place by bolts bolts from a different most likely modern era. The chin scales are present but there is an issue with the main attachment point that is unfortunately sheared off. A few of the chinstrap scales are also missing.
Both kokarde (cockades) are present, and are 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 paint on both is still mostly intact, though the red from the Reichs-Kokarde is partly flaked off, a common occurrence due to the instability of red dye compounds.
The officer spike atop the helmet is not decorated at the base with "egg & dart" perlring. The base cup is of a different make and is not in the bayonet, removable style.
The helmet's interior reveals a depot or regiment marking 20 III on the back visor. It is approximately 56cm in size. The leather liner is absent. The lacquer finished leather shell is in great condition having no major issues, just the expected light cracking in a few areas. The shape of this pickelhaube is preserved excellently and there are no issues to the front visor stitching, though the visor is a little warped. There is some level of leather shrinkage due to age, which is why some fittings are slightly loose. The wappan and chin strap lugs are held in with modern nuts, washers and bolts. Overall a very appealing Model 1897 Officer Pickelhaube helmet, offered at a very affordable price and ready to display!
Dimensions:
Overall length: 9 ½”
Overall width: 7 ½”
Height: 10”
Circumference: 21”
Weight: 7 ¾ oz.
Size: US 7 (56cm)
- This product is available for international shipping.
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