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. 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: 1860 pattern, Prussian 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. Leather is somewhat shrunken in places which is very typical for a helmet of this age. Stitching on the rear right side visor has come loose. The pickelhaube has very nice two piece, Prussian EM/NCO's helmet plate (wappen) with "COLBERG 1807" battle honor. M1860 helmet plate (wappen) with the Bandeau was introduced in 1860 with the motto " MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (With God For King And Fatherland). Wappen is attached to the helmet by two screw posts being held in place by two of the early large retaining nuts. There is a second set of holes under the wappen screw posts, but this is exceedingly common for these early issue helmets which issue and re-issued time and time again. Each time a new regulation was issued, the existing helmets would be modified to conform. The top crown of the pickelhaube has the typical, clover leaf shape, brass spike base with all four dome headed rivets with the early style screw posts and retaining nuts. The plain, regulation, non-detachable pattern, brass spike has two large circular ventilation holes to the "neck" portion. Spike mount has a decorative "Perlring" to its base. Reverse of the helmet has the correct brass rear spine which is secured in place by two early brass rivets with screw posts and retaining nuts. 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 still present but the section of leather that attaches to it on the other side is missing. Chinscales are attached by threaded bolts to either side of the helmet. Korkarden is missing. 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. Very nice example of a hard to find helmet.

GRADE ***½                             PRICE $2,250.00