Original Item: Only One Available. This is a heavily worn but historically interesting Imperial German WWI M1915 Prussian enlisted man’s Pickelhaube bearing a desirable unit marking for the 6th Rhenish Infantry Regiment No. 68. Dated 1916, the helmet retains its original leather body, gray steel Prussian front plate, national and state cockades, and interior liner, but it has undergone several alterations and now requires careful handling.

The M1915 was the final standard Pickelhaube pattern introduced before the widespread adoption of the steel helmet. In accordance with wartime regulations, the earlier polished brass, Tombak, and silver-colored fittings were replaced with gray oxidized steel components. The helmet body continued to be formed from boiled leather and finished with black lacquer.

The helmet retains its original gray steel Prussian front plate, or Wappen, depicting the crowned Prussian eagle holding a scepter and orb. Across the eagle is the traditional motto:

MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND

Meaning “With God for King and Fatherland.”

The Wappen is mounted through the original holes, but only one retaining wedge remains. The second wedge is missing, leaving the plate somewhat loose.

The M1915 pattern was originally fitted with a removable enlisted spike and corresponding gray steel base. On this example, the original steel assembly was removed and replaced with an earlier-style M1895 brass spike base and non-removable spike. The replacement base is secured with loose rivets and therefore moves slightly on the crown.

The rear spine retains the small adjustable ventilation fitting normally found on enlisted helmets. The vent is now seized and can no longer be moved.

Both cockades remain fitted around the chinstrap lugs. The right side carries the German national colors of red, white, and black, while the left carries the black-and-white Prussian state colors. Both cockades are in very good condition.

The presently installed leather chinstrap is a reproduction. It is considerably longer than the correct pattern and hangs low beneath the helmet.

The gray steel trim along the front visor is broken and loose. The remaining exterior fittings show oxidation, finish loss, scratches, and general wear consistent with age and extended use.

The black lacquered leather body shows widespread age crazing but has retained its overall shape surprisingly well. There are no major structural collapses or severe losses to the main shell. The stitching securing both the front and rear visors remains strong.

The interior retains its original leather liner. The liner is in fragile condition with extensive cracking, crazing, tearing along the folds, and active flaking. Small pieces of aged leather may detach when handled. The original liner tie cord is missing, and the liner should not be manipulated unnecessarily.

The underside of the rear visor is stamped with a size: 56

It also bears a manufacturer’s marking dated: 1916

Most importantly, the rear visor carries the unit marking:

J.R. 68
I. ERS…

The marking identifies the helmet with Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 68, formally the 6. Rheinisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 68. The abbreviated second line appears to refer to a replacement, or Ersatz, formation associated with the regiment, most likely its 1st Ersatz Battalion or company. The incomplete marking prevents a more precise interpretation.

The 6th Rhenish Infantry Regiment No. 68 was a Prussian infantry regiment with a long service history. During WWI it served extensively on the Western Front and endured heavy casualties during fighting in sectors including Champagne. Its unit association gives this otherwise rough helmet considerable historical appeal.

Condition is fair overall. The helmet retains an original 1916-dated leather shell, steel Prussian Wappen, both cockades, fragile original liner, and valuable regimental markings. Important condition concerns include the replaced brass spike assembly, loose crown fittings, missing Wappen wedge, reproduction chinstrap, broken front visor trim, seized rear vent, and severely deteriorated liner.

This is not a pristine collector-grade Pickelhaube, but it is an evocative, unit-marked survivor with excellent restoration and display potential. Its clearly identifiable connection to Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 68 makes it particularly appealing to collectors of Imperial German regimental history and battlefield-used headgear.