Does Anybody Else Collect Headgear Sets?

[SkipperJohn]

I thought of writing this post when I was adding a different post to the forum. When I find a new Pickelhaube it seems that I automatically try to find the soft cap that goes with it. I have not always been successful, and often I haven't really tried that hard. I have had some successes, over time, and I thought I would share some of them here.

Prussian Infantry M95 with private purchase Schirmmütze:



Baden Infantry private purchase with Tellermütze. Note that the headband is very thin, about 1/3 the overall height. It's just big enough for a Kokarde:



Bavarian 1868 Raupenhelm with private purchase Schirmmütze:



Saxon 101st Regiment with Schirmmütze. This Schirmmütze has some damage to the upper piping and some paint missing from the Kokarde:



Prussian Infantry Officer:



Prussian 9th Grenadier Officer with Schirmmütze. Note the Schirmmütze is early as indicated by the thin piping:



Oldenburg 91st Infantry Regiment. The Schirmmütze is probably 1870 as indicated by the thicker piping. The headband is 1/2 total height:



Prussian Artillery:



Bavarian Infantry about 1902:




John

[Lars13]

Hi John,
Very nice sets. I don’t aim for sets myself, but I like the idea
Regards,
Lars

[aicusv]

Nice sets, I too didn't set out to collect sets, although I have come up with some.

[pebceb]

Now that is the coolest idea ever. Wish I could. I am getting a German postcard that shows the monument to Infanterie-Regiment "von Goeben" (2. Rheinisches) Nr. 28, which is the Regiment of the soldier who owned one of my pickelhaubes.

[b.loree]

Excellent sets Skip! I have never gotten into sets like these but they are very cool. What I have done courtesy of a suggestion from Mr T Schnurr is to collect shoulder straps from the hauben I have from identified Regts. For example, I have dunkelblau straps to JR 115, 119, 91, 94 etc. I like the pre 1910 straps for their "colour". I also have a postcard showing members of JR 52 wearing their numbered Uberzugs which matches my green numbered JR 52 uberzug from the collection. So, there are lots of interesting pickelhaube combinations.

[Gustaf]

Here is my contribution, not as great as John's, but you have to work with what you have.

Prussian Infantry circa 1917

and Prussian Infantry circa 1918

[SkipperJohn]

Gustaf,
Those are great sets!!!
I have only purchased two wartime grey Mützen and they were both fake. They were well marked --- with a Sharpie!
I took one home from the gun show (where I bought it) and when I put it under black light the red band lit up the room.
I have not had good luck with these. You have a couple of excellent sets there.
My only contribution to your wartime sets is my M1916 with Saxon Schirmmütze:



The helmet is interesting because it has a number stamped in the dome and telltale stretch marks:



Good job with your wartime sets. They are hard to find in such great condition.

John

[Francobritishcollect]

I do like the idea.

I do not do it myself, unless for comparison purposes or to mixe old friends and foes on occasions...

Best

Alex

[SkipperJohn]

A new addition:

1871 Prussian Garde Foot Artillery with private purchase schirmmütze:



John

[Sergei1877]

beauty . great collection

[JohnS3rd]

John,
You have an awe-inspiring collection of German headgear. Thanks for sharing pictures of it.
Best regards,
John