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: WW1 German M1895 Enlisted Prussian Infantry Spiked Helmet (Pickelhaube). Pre-war helmet with silver fittings (Pioneer). Shell is in very nice shape. Stitching on the rear visor is mostly gone and will need to be restored. There are another set of filled holes under the Wappen, indicating it had another plate at one time. Prussian cockade is an original but the national cockade is a reproduction. Chinstrap is a reproduction. Liner is original, see photos for condition. Spike & rear spine are also original to the helmet.