Original Item: Only One Available. This is an outstanding example of a German Empire period M1895 Garde-Infantry Mannschaften (EM-NCO) issued Pickelhaube. The helmet retains what we believe to be the original chinstrap with both original cockades, and a gorgeous wappen. What’s better is that this helmet bears the correct Garde-Corps depot stamping! As with previous versions, the body was constructed from boiled leather, which was shaped and lacquered black.

This example came right before the "transitional" patterns, having been made in 1914, the year before the new regulations came into effect. This example is for the Prussian Garde, so the top of the spike is unscrewable for the attachment of a plume for parades.

The front garde korps wappen features a crowned Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and sword in its claws, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). As this is a Garde helmet, there is a large 8 pointed "German Silver" star in the middle, which is the emblem of the Hoher Orden vom Schwarzen Adler (Order of the Black Eagle). The motto SUUM CUIQUE (to each his own) is marked above an eagle, with laurel leaves below. The Wappen is held in place by one leather wedge, as the other is missing. 

It also has the correct "vent" on the rear support spine of the helmet which still moves. It is complete with the Prussia (White and Black) and German National Colors (red white and black) cockades around the chin strap lugs. 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, as on this helmet.

The black leather shell shows normal age crazing and wear. The lacquer finished leather is in very good condition having no serious issues. All metal pieces are in place, and show no signs of ever having been removed, added, or so on. The front leather visor has oxidized steel trim in very good condition but it is a bit disconnected from leather shrinkage.

The underside of the helmet shows that the nine-tongue leather liner is retained, but the drawstring is gone and four of the tongues are ripped through to the small holes. The underside of the rear visor has a depot stamp reading:

B.A.G.
1913

This denotes that the helmet went through the BAG: Garde-Korps Depot in Berlin. The interior crown also retains several markings including a date, 1913, and a size, 56. Next to this is a maker’s mark reading:

A. Wunderlich II.
BERLIN

This is entirely correct as the Prussian Garde was headquartered in Berlin.

This is a remarkable example of a Prussian Garde helmet, ready for further research and display!