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: M1915 pattern, blackened lacquered leather construction pickelhaube with matte grey painted magnetic sheet metal fittings. The pickelhaube features a rounded body and crown with stitched on, extended, rounded corner, front and rear visors. The pickelhaube has the standard 1914 pattern, stamped, magnetic sheet metal, Prussian EM/NCO’s helmet plate (wappen). The helmet plate features the crowned Prussian eagle with upswept wings, clutching a royal scepter and a royal orb with an embossed scripted banner superimposed on its wings and breast. The embossed script to the banner consists of, "Mit Gott Für Koenig und Vaterland", (With God for King and Fatherland), and has the royal, "FR" cypher to its breast indicating, Friedrich Rex, (King Friedrich). The helmet plate is attached to the pickelhaube by two metal loops which extend into the interior through corresponding holes to the front. Small leather wedges secure the helmet plate in place. 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 front leather visor has magnetic sheet metal trim to the forward edge secured by two large dome headed rivets. The pickelhaube has 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 present and are original to the helmet. Complete liner in excellent condition. Completely untouched, they don’t come much nicer than this!