Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition smart-looking,Eigentums-helm (privately purchased) Mannschaften Pickelhaubenfrom the PrussianGarde du Corps…
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition smart-looking,Eigentums-helm (privately purchased) Mannschaften Pickelhaubenfrom the PrussianGarde du Corps Regiment, which was most likely used duringthe WWI Period. This regiment was the personal bodyguard of the Prussian King and later Kaiser of Germany. The regiment only recruited members from Preußen (Prussia)itself, and all members were considered “elite”.
Even though this is aMannschaften (Other Ranks) helmet, which would be used forPrivate to Feldwebel, it is of the highest quality, with all the appointments seen on officer grade pickelhaube. ThePreußisch Regiment der Gardes du Corps were elite personal regiments under command of the Kaiser himself, and needed to look incredible.Still, the quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wished to spend. “Issue” versions were quite a bit lesser in quality than others.
This example is quite nicely appointed, with the fittings being a mixture of gilt brass , with a blacked brass Wappen front plate.It also has the post-1880 internal leather sweatband and silk skull-capas seen on officer’s helmets.These alsofeatured other officer features such as: the undersides of visors are lined, Officer Kokarden are carried, and the “egg & dart” Perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and chinscales were worn. As with most pickelhauben, they are made from boiled leather, which is then lacquered black.
The overall condition of this officer’s pickelhaube is very good. The helmets top fittings, spike, read support, and entire chin strap are gilt brass, with lots of original gold retained. The Prussian wappen (coat of arms) is of blacked brass, with some gold highlights, and features a large eagle holding a scepter and an orb, with a banner bearing the King’s motto, MIT GOTTFÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND(With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). As this is a Garde helmet, there is a large 8 pointed star in the middle, which is the emblem of theHoher Orden vom Schwarzen Adler (Order of the Black Eagle). The gilt motto SUUM CUIQUE (to each his own) ismarked above center, with laurel leaves below. Unfortunately the central eagle is missing, and the central circle is only loosely attached. Most likely it was dropped on the wappen a few times, which pushed in the eagle, which then was lost.
The chin scales on this helmet are in great condition, solid and functional with full leather behind them and solid large split pin attachment present. As stated before, they have great color and gilding.
Both officer-style kokarde (cockades) are present, and are of high-end two piece construction, with detailed casting. In 1897 a new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of the helmet, and the state Kokarde was moved to the left.
The top spike is very nice, with no dents, and has some nice side vents.It has all four of the gilt brass star retaining screws, and also the top half screws off for mounting of a parade plume. The helmet’s interior reveals no depot marks on the back visor. It is approximately a size7 3/8US (59cm). There is definitelysome age to the exterior finish, however it is just the usual crazing, with no major chips or other issues.
The inside liner is still present, and is marked with an emblem and the makerDepaheg Patent in gold. It still hasthe silk skull cap, which is so often removed. The silk islight brown, and retained at nearly 100%, something we almost never see.The leather sweat band is still supple and complete. Overall a wonderful interior, much more complete and in better condition than almost any we see.
A truly magnificent Prussian WWI Era helmet, ready to be the crown jewel of just about ANY German Pickelhaube collection. Ready to display!
