Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fair example of an M-1915 Imperial Prussian Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube in fair condition. The front visor has lost is stitching and is slouching as shown. 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 removable but takes some pressure to put back on. There is also a small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets, which is now seized. The front visor is slouching due to stitching loss.

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 held in place by two replaced metal pieces.

The helmet bears its original German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around one of the chin strap lugs, but is missing the Prussian (black and white) cockade. 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, as on this helmet.

The helmet does not have a chinstrap. The original liner is intact and is in fair shape but the tie-string is gone. The helmet bears both a manufacture date of 1916 on the interior, and a couple of maker stamps. There is a stamp, J.R. 63, denoting the 4th Upper Silesian 63rd Infantry Regiment. The regiment was formed on 5 May 1860, with its headquarters in Oppeln (present-day Poland). In 1900, some soldiers were deployed to China. On 2 August 1914, the regiment was mobilised and sent to the Eastern Front. The following day, Silesian troops had their baptism of fire at Czenstochau, where they repelled the 14th Russian Army Corps, including Cossack cavalry.

The IR 63 remained on the Eastern Front until 6 August. They would have to wait three years to return. The regiment moved to France, and by mid-September 1914, following the Battle of the Marne, they were engaged in static trench warfare along the Beine-Nauroy-Sillery-L’Esperance Farm line near the well-known Fort de la Pompelle. 

The exterior of the helmet shell is in good shape, with very little change to the shape, and the black enamel still exhibits a nice sheen. There are areas of cracking and checking, but they just serve to add to the lovely patina of age. Overall a very nice condition Imperial Prussian pickelhaube, perfect for any WWI collection!