Original Item: Only One Available. This is a scarce simplified pattern Ersatz Fitzhelms! Not only is this a scarce model to obtain, let alone one in such excellent condition! This is a superb example, and offered in original condition! 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.

As the felt hat manufacturing industry was well established in Germany for hundreds of years, the hat industry stepped in to fill the void by producing Pickelhaube out of pressed and blocked felt, manufactured from rabbit fur or shredded wool. One advantage to the Filzhelme (felt helmets) was that they were normally pressed from one-piece of felt which significantly reduced production time. There were various variations produced, depending on when they were made and what materials for fittings were available at the time. First the brass M1895 fittings were used up, and then in 1915 the Filzhelm switched to the oxide coated steel. There are many examples of Ersatz helmet with both brass and steel fittings.

This is a very good condition simplified pattern Imperial Prussian line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks) Ersatz (replacement) felt pickelhaube. It displays lovely condition brass Prussian spread eagle helmet plate and comes complete with complete leather liner. The spike on top denotes infantry issue and retains correct brass chinstrap lugs, original national and state cockades, and leather chin strap with brass fittings. The later simplified pattern omitted the brass or steel visor trim and rear spine, which thoroughly weakened the helmet overall. This is one of the first issue simplified patterns, which retained the front visor trim until they were all used up.

Considering that these were made of a much lighter material felt than the later, thicker, models made without the trim and rear spine, they were found to be far more fragile than either earlier or later models. Because of this, very few have survived (few survived even during the war!), let alone in excellent condition, such as this model we are offering.

This helmet features a lovely gold-colored alloy frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (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.

The crown of this leather helmet displays a brass vented enlisted spike mount on a brass baseplate. The spike is in excellent condition, and as per the pattern, is fixed and does no rotate. It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) kokarden (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.

The 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 are original.

The exterior of the helmet is in good condition. The rear visor appears to have separated at one time, and was glued back together. A minor detraction, which is barely noticeable when the displayed. There is dirt in areas as well as some stains, as expected from a helmet over 100 years in age. This example has front vizor brass trim in very good condition, with just a bit of rippling. Later versions of the Felt Helmets would have rolled over edges.

Overall a very nice condition Imperial Prussian Ersatz Felt pickelhaube, in relatively untouched condition. A great addition to any collection. Ready to display!