{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-prussian-m1915-infantry-ersatz-felt-pickelhaube-spiked-helmet-filzhelm","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Prussian M1915 Infantry Ersatz Felt Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet - Filzhelm","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is the first time we have had one of these! We normally receive the M1895s, but never the M1915. As the M1915 Pickelhaube was introduced, Filzhelm began to be fitted with the M1915 gray steel fittings to replace the silver and brass fittings worn to that time. In an effort to utilize all available supplies, some manufacturers mixed pre-1915 brass fittings with 1915 steel fittings by painting all the fittings a matching gray. This example was manufactured as a standard M1915 with identical fittings as the M1915 leather Pickelhaube, with front visor trim, rear spine, etc. Most examples encountered have front visor trim and rear spines as the removal of them as in the example above made the helmet too fragile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very good condition Imperial Prussian line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks) Ersatz (replacement) felt pickelhaube. It displays lovely condition oxide steel Prussian spread eagle helmet plate and comes complete with supple original leather liner. The spike on top denotes infantry issue and retains correct chinstrap lugs, cockades, and leather chin strap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet features a lovely gold-colored alloy frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King's motto, \u003cstrong\u003eMIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND\u003c\/strong\u003e (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, though this one is oxide steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted spike mount on a steel baseplate. The spike is in excellent condition, and as per the pattern, it is still able to be removed. It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. The chinstrap and painted hardware appear to be high quality replacements. 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 paint is slightly retained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 look to be original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior of the helmet is in very good condition, with no major moth damage or other issues. There is dirt in areas as well as some stains, as expected from a helmet over 100 years in age. This example has front visor trim in very good condition, with just a bit of rippling. Later versions of the Felt Helmets would have rolled over edges. The internal liner is in good condition, with a partially intact top strap. It does show wear, but overall the helmet is relatively large, probably a 58-59 size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a very nice condition Imperial Prussian Ersatz Felt pickelhaube, a great addition to any collection. Ready to display!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40533937750085,"sku":"ONAC23SS004","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONAC23SS004__03.jpg?v=1678491692","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-prussian-m1915-infantry-ersatz-felt-pickelhaube-spiked-helmet-filzhelm","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}