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G009957 SAXON EM/NCO'S M1867 PICKELHAUBE. (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: 1867 pattern, Saxon EM/NCO's blackened lacquered leather construction pickelhaube with red brass metal fittings. The pickelhaube features a high rounded body and crown with stitched on, extended, rounded corner, front and rear visors. The pickelhaube has very nice two piece (brass and silver), Saxon EM/NCO's helmet plate (wappen). 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 crew post which extend into the interior through corresponding holes to the front and are attached by its original brass nuts and washers. (No extra holes & complete with original grommets). The top crown of the pickelhaube has the typical, circular, brass spike base with all four dome headed split pin retaining rivets intact. The reverse rivet looks to be period replaced and has the same patina to the brass as the rest. The plain, regulation, non-detachable pattern, brass spike has two circular ventilation holes to the "neck" portion. Spike mount has a decorative "Perlring" to its base. The forward leather visor has brass trim to the forward edge secured by two large dome headed rivets. Helmet comes with its original flat brass chinscales. Chinscales are nice condition, buckle for connecting the backing strap is missing. Chinscales are attached by the original threaded bolts to either side of the helmet. Helmet is complete with its original rounded green and white painted Saxon korkarden. The interior of the pickelhaube is in natural tan leather with a nine finger blackened leather liner. The liner is complete and still supple and all the fingers are intact. There is a small piece of wire present in the front section of the liner possibly for the attachment of a museum tag at one point. Nice large unit markings on the interior rear visor in white and black ink. Brass has not been cleaned is many years and has taken on that nice chocolate brown appearance. Very decent example of a hard to find helmet.
GRADE ***3/4 PRICE $2,450.00
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