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G002763 SAXON M1915 EM/NCO'S PICKELHAUBE.
BACKGROUND:
Development of the pickelhaube may be traced back to the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV who initiated the original design and introduced it for wear by most of the Prussian line Infantry regiments on October 23RD 1842. The pickelhaube became a visual symbol of Prussia’s military might and underwent numerous modifications starting in 1860 and continuing right up until 1915. In the Austro-Prussian war of 1866 the Kingdom of Saxony allied itself with the Austrians and were quickly overrun by the Prussians who decisively defeated the Austrians on July 3RD 1866 resulting in the formation of the Northern German Confederation on July 1ST 1867. Although the Prussians permitted the larger states, such as the Kingdom of Saxony, to retain a certain independence the constitution of the Northern German Confederation dictated that in case of war the states were required to assist the Prussians by providing troops who would come under Prussian command. With the passage of time the Kingdom of Saxony’s army of eight regiments became more closely aligned to the Prussian army replacing their uniforms for the Prussian style uniforms and adopting the pickelhaube in 1867. The Kingdom of Saxony’s pickelhaubes followed the modifications of the Prussian pickelhaubes but retained their distinctive identifying helmet plate. The demise of the pickelhaube began in the fields of WWI as a result of increased head wounds suffered by the German troops which were mainly caused by grenade and shell fragments. As a result of the increased head wounds and the development of the first "modern" steel helmets by the French army in early 1915 and by the British army later that year the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production of the new steel helmets began at the Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, in the spring of 1916. After the introduction of the M16 helmet the pickelhaube was relegated for wear only on ceremonial occasions.PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1915 pattern, Saxon EM/NCO’s blackened lacquered leather construction pickelhaube with matte grey magnetic metal fittings. The pickelhaube features a rounded body and crown with stitched on, extended, rounded corner, front and rear visors. The pickelhaube has the 1914 pattern, stamped, magnetic sheet metal, two piece, Saxon EM/NCO’s helmet plate. The helmet plate features an eight point star-burst base with a separate vertical oval Saxon Coat-of-Arms with an embossed central diagonal bar with alternating pebbled and checked horizontal bars encompassed by an opened top laurel leaf wreath with a crown superimposed to the top center. The helmet plate is attached to the pickelhaube by two metal loops which extend into the interior through corresponding holes to the front. (No extra holes & complete with original grommets). The top crown of the pickelhaube has the typical, circular, magnetic sheet metal spike base with all four of the original dome headed split pin retaining rivets intact. The plain, regulation, detachable pattern, sheet metal spike has five circular ventilation holes to the "neck" portion. The reverse center of the pickelhaube has a vertical, magnetic sheet metal, reinforcement spine with the sliding ventilation shutter intact near the top edge. The spine is secured to the pickelhaube by a spilt pin rivet and a screw with a retaining nut. The forward leather visor has magnetic sheet metal trim to the forward edge secured by two large dome headed rivets. The pickelhaube has magnetic sheet metal, M1891 style, side posts positioned on either side of the body for securing the chinstrap and the national and state cockades. The chinstrap and cockades are both absent. The interior of the pickelhaube is in natural tan leather with a nine finger tan leather liner. The liner shows is complete and still supple and all the fingers are intact. The interior crown has the magnetic stamped sheet metal spike base retainer intact. The interior crown of the helmet is well marked "57" (size). Makers marked "Muller & Sarung Dresden". Interior is also dated 1915. The interior reverse visor is also well marked with a "BA", inkstamp indicating Bekleidungsamt, (Clothing depot). The pickelhaube is in overall superb condition and the exterior shows the typical surface light surface checking to the lacquered finish. The metal fittings all retain about 90-98% of their original matte grey finish. Excellent condition and a very large size. Nice
GRADE **** PRICE $715.00
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