Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice "relic condition" officer’s pickelhaube 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 definitely what we would consider "relic" or "battlefield pickup." It is quite worn, and many of the original components are missing, including the chin scales and attachment hardware. This also means that the kokarden (cockades) are both missing. The rear support spine is missing, as is the entire liner. The original star shaped pins that would hold on the top spike base are missing, replaced with screws and nails. This is definitely a pickelhaube with some real stories to tell.

The remaining fittings are the correct brass alloy, with a lovely aged patina. 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 is held in place by the correct square brass bolts. 

The top of the helmet is somewhat sunken in, and the brass trim on the front is only partly present. There look to have been attempts to repair the helmet in the distant past as well. The top spikes does have the correct "Egg and Dart" Perlring, but it looks like the very top of the spike was replaced and soldered on.

Definitely an interesting example, with lots of history!