Original Item. Only One Available. This is a gorgeous example of an Imperial German Prussian Officers Pickelhaube with Parade Bush in great condition retaining its polished brass Prussian state officer’s wappen plate in the center. This example is particularly nice, in that it is mounted with an original correct Trichter (Funnel) and black Haarbusch (parade plume). This example comes in its original case which is missing the top cap & some straps.

This helmet features a lovely gold-colored alloy frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (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.

This example also retains its original chinscales / chinstrap attached to the ends on top of the officer’s cockades. This helmet has a great set of white and black (state of Prussia) and red, white, and black (National) cockades in great condition. The Trichter funnel is attached to the spike base by four sun-burst rivets. The plume is well-attached to the funnel and retains much of its hair. The interior of the helmet features a fine quality tan leather sweatband and artificial silk lining which is in fair shape overall.

The Pickelhaube case is in fair shape overall, with the top cap missing and the primary carrying strap broken off. The strap that secures the bottom base around the body is also missing, but the buckle is still retained on the other side. The interior bottom lid retains a maker’s tag for J. Robrecht Holflieferant of Berlin.

This is a fantastic example of an Imperial German Baden parade helmet, ready for further research and display!

The Pickelhaube-
Germany’s Pickelhaube helmet, distinguished by a lone spike jutting straight from its top, became a symbol of Prussian militarism in the early 20th century. Introduced by the Prussian military in 1843, the Pickelhaube was originally proposed for use by cavalry troops. The helmets, made of pressed leather, were developed as an updated solution to the conical shako hats worn by Prussians during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleonic-era shakos offered virtually no head protection and were cumbersome to wear in wet conditions, as they easily soaked up rain. The Pickelhaube, therefore, was greeted as a practical modern invention. The new “leather helmets” or “helmets with spikes” gave soldiers’ greater head covering and visibility.

The distinctive spike on the Pickelhaube was supposed to function as a blade tip. It was designed to deflect sword blows aimed at the head. The spikes could be modified depending on soldiers’ battlefield duties and outfitted with plumes on formal occasions.

Use of the helmet became widespread throughout Germany and was even adopted by regional police forces and fire brigades. The helmet was often greeted with sarcasm and mockery, even within Germany. In 1843, the famous German poet, Heinrich Heine, wrote and published a satiric poem, “Germany: A Winter’s Tale,” in the poem, Heine compared the Pickelhaube to a lightning rod:

“Yes, yes, I like the helmet, it demonstrates the loftiest wit!
A kingly inspiration, it was! Complete with a point and tip!
I’m just afraid a storm will come and only too easily hit,
That romantic crown of yours with a fancy lightning blitz!”

The Pickelhaube became a symbol of Prussian aggressiveness and battle prowess. An imperial proclamation in 1871 made the Pickelhaube mandatory for all German troops. Proud Prussian military leaders with bristling mustaches posed for publicity photos sporting the Pickelhaube, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, Otto von Bismarck, and Paul von Hindenburg. In other countries, the horned helmets became synonymous with barbarism, especially during World War I.