I'm sure you could find an original correct plate either quickly by contacting the world's top dealers and collectors and being willing to pay through the nose, or some time over the next five years spending an hour or so a day scouring the internet. I recommend the latter!

Furthermore, this: "The talkum was used to keep the leather soft, I'm sure all makers do it." makes absolutely no sense! Who wants a helmet to be made of soft leather, and additionally, how is the "talc" supposed to penetrate the lacquer to the point of even affecting the leather? And does talc even...

I don't believe its a true mold, which you would think would spread to the visors, no? I think its related to the thickness of lacquer and the leather its on when exposed to certain conditions of temperature and humidity. Interestingly, if you expose helmets like those above to heat (as in a hair dr...

These helmets were shiny when new, but have developed this look not through wear (hence their minty condition) but through environmental conditions. If the mounts are removed, such as the spike base, you will see that the matte finish does not continue underneath. Furthermore, the matte rarely forms...

Very good article! Much appreciated...

I love it! I have a similar baseball cap...

I guess its one at a time...

Some more pics...

This is a scarce and lovely peaked cap as worn in warmer climes by officers of the Kaiserliches Marine. It is composed of a cream light weight wool twill, lined in a combination of silk and linen, and finished off with a matching calf-skin perforated sweatband. The lovely bullion/metal cap badge, le...

Thanks! I'm pretty sure that at least one of the recipients will have virtually no messages in their inbox, though...One of them is to you, so you should be able to test that theory...

Cheers,
Arran.

When I try to send a private message, it lingers in my outbox and will not go through- can an admin look into this for me?

Thanks,
Arran.

Wow, great stuff...the fact is, whether its Imperial German militaria, or Roman armour, there is still more to be unearthed than there is in collections or museums!

Thank you so much for the information! I've never seen a reservist's cross from the Hanseatic cities before...

I'd like to know more about this reservist's cross, which has a motto I've never seen before, mentioning neither Fuerst nor Koening. Can anyone tell me more?

I agree with your choice...

The form and detail look very nice and correct to me! Can we get a look at the underside of the base?

I have a couple of trashed felt shells- drop me a line at [email protected] and I'll send you some pics...

3

2

1

More pics...

Before sending off to consignment or auction, I thought I would first offer this lovely busby to members here. It is a pre-war, otter fur covered officer's busby of the elite Leib-Garde Hussars, and is complete to parade with its correct cords, plume, and bag (removable). More photos are available i...

SOLD! Thank you...

Likely all found languishing in a depot somewhere- thanks for the info!

Further pics

More pics.

These are not a true exact pair, but they came together and are both marked to the 120th Infantry Regiment, (2nd Württemberg) "Emperor William, King of Prussia". The first example is impressed on the back "120.R.1875 F.B." and ink stamped in the lid "120.R.1888 F.B." The belt straps have been re-sew...

Last Pics

More pics.

This is a lovely dark green cloth covered cork officer's helmet of the Durham Light Infantry, circa 1910. The helmet plate is multi-piece, of superb quality- as is the rest of the helmet! Approximately a size 7. Priced at about half what they usually go for! US $550.00 plus shipping, Paypal preferred.

Thank you. In the new year I'll start some threads in the General Headgear section on other non-German Pickelhaben from Chile, Argentina, Colombia etc. etc.

Thank you guys!

I'm not sure what the marking means, but what a lovely helmet! Wurttembergers are among my favourites...

Firstly, Season's Greetings! Many of you will have seen this helmet when it was first unearthed by Peter S., and you may have wondered where it went. Well, it travelled north of the border, although not too far, and now resides with a few of its relatives. Certainly the addition of the year for me! ...

Amazing! Is there any way to restore the photos to this otherwise "compromised" thread?

Thank you. Here are some more pics...

Thanks guys. I really like the look of the sword, but I want to identify it before I consider buying it!

Hi Folks! Can anyone help me with identifying this sword and its coat of arms?

Thanks,
Arran.

Very nice Peter! Please e-mail me at [email protected] I tried to send you a PM but it sits in my outbox and won't send...

I've dealt with him before and really like him. He's been away from the business for a while, but has recently returned and updated his site. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him...

Yes, two Chinese type dragons, one either side. There is a leather pickelhaube with the same plate in the Junckers catalogue...

Can anyone shed any light on this mysterious photo? A Chinese cavalry officer of some kind equipped and trained in Berlin...

It is indeed an Andean Condor...

Very cool! Here are a couple of Chilean helmets from my collection...

Here you can get your visor trim:

https://spikehelmets.pl/gallery/trimes/ ... 05/88.html

Nice project, by the way!

Oh God, Frank Grant...good luck with that one!

Very cool photo! Thanks for posting...

Thanks Peter- very interesting information. I have one of the unique helmet plates for the Chilean pith helmet, but sadly not the helmet itself...

Peter- lovely cork helmet, and very interesting article! Do you have one of the Ludwig Bordfeldt-made Chilean pith helmets in your collection?