Original Item: Only One Available. A good example of an M-1915 Imperial Prussian Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube in great condition. The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued prior to the move to steel helmets. In accordance with the 1915 regulations, these helmets would no longer use brass, silver, or Tombak as the M1895 did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use gray oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments. As with previous versions, the body was constructed from boiled leather, which was shaped and lacquered black.

This helmet features an oxide plated steel frontplate (wappen), and the crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mounted on a steel baseplate, which is still able to be removed. There is also a small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets, which is able to be moved still but requires some force. The front wappen features a crowned Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and orb in its claws, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The wappen is attached at the original holes with the original leather wedges. The wappen has some wear but is still solid and complete.

It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. Both are in great shape and are held in place by the original chinstrap. All fittings appear tight to the body. The chinstrap has wear in the correct places and two different styles of adjustment buckle, and we believe it to be original.

The interior features a nice original leather liner with the original tie string still inserted but not tied, with some wear and crazing. The black leather shell shows normal age crazing but has held up very well overall. The lacquer finished leather is in very good condition having no serious issues minus crazing. The front and rear visor stitching is still strong. The interior rear visor is faintly stamped:

P.B. 27

This denotes issue by Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 27. The organization of the Pioniere in World War I was very different from that of the Royal Engineers and somewhat different from that of the French Troupes de Génie. It was nonetheless based on a relatively simple concept. In peacetime, each army corps had one or two pioneer battalions. The first of these was the ordinary pioneer battalion of the army corps. The second, if present, was a "fortress pioneer" (Festungspionier) battalion. (In sharp contrast to French and British fortress engineer units, which were concerned with the defense of fortresses, the German fortress pioneer battalions were concerned with offensive siege warfare.)

Each of these battalions, whether fortress or not, consisted of four companies. Upon mobilization, each battalion raised two reserve companies. Once these companies had been formed, each battalion split itself into two field battalions. In the case of ordinary pioneer battalions, each field battalion received a different assignment. The first was assigned to the active army corps fielded by the peacetime army corps of its parent battalion. The second was either assigned to a reserve army corps or a fortress. In the case of fortress pioneer battalions, the two field battalions were kept together, thereby forming a fortress pioneer regiment of six companies.

The interior crown bears a 1916 stamp, 56 size stamp, and an interesting maker’s mark reading:

J.H. STRECKEL
ELMSHORN

The helmet has a lovely overall patina with the correct wear under the wappen to show that it’s always been together like this.

This is a very attractive and unmolested pickelhaube in condition we do not often see. We do not expect it to last long. Comes ready to display!