Need help Identifying Pickelhaube

GlennBax96

New member
Hello there , I recently purchased this pickelhaube at a Swap meet and wanted to know if it was original? It seems too new to be over 100 years old and the cap is extremely small. Also why are there some pickelhaubes with brass metal parts and some with this oxidizing like this one. Is this an attempt to make it look old. Thank you.

This is my first ww1 item.
 

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Looks like a pretty good Model 1915 (when the metalwork changed from brass to painted grey iron/steel for non-reflective reasons on the battlefield) for the State of Baden - see the internal makers inked stamp which certainly looks good. Can't say I like the looks of the Kokardes (at least one of which is super wrong) or the chinstrap, which is not very convincing for authenticity. Generally has the makings of a nice helmet, well done! I would have bought it in a heartbeat, despite these fairly obvious faults.
Steve
 
Hello Glenn, Welcome to the Forum.
Your helmet is an M1915 Variant from the Grand Duchy of Baden, denoted by the front plate.
The chinstrap is a reproduction and is incorrect to your helmet.
The state cockade on the left is incorrect, for Baden, it should be Gold and Red.
I believe as well that the removable spike is a replacement from another helmet, based on the difference in colour and patina.
Your helmet, and other grey ones, are this grey colour because they are of the M1915 Variant, introduced during WW1 as a form of camouflage, making the helmet less reflective in the light. Brass fittings were used on the vast majority of line helmets throughout the rest of the Pickelhaube's lifespan, the most common being the M1895 Variant.
The M1915 is also denoted by the fact that it has a removable spike with a "Bayonet Attachment" as yours does, whereas a standard line example will not have this.
Overall your helmet looks good, aside from the faults pointed out by Steve and Myself.
 
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A nice Baden M15. Clear maker marked, for the rest I agree with Steve and KW11.
In my opinion a nice find, and can be easily changed to original specs.
Welcome here on the forum!
 
Hello Glenn, Welcome to the Forum.
Your helmet is an M1915 Variant from the Grand Duchy of Baden, denoted by the front plate.
The chinstrap is a reproduction and is incorrect to your helmet.
The state cockade on the left is incorrect, for Baden, it should be Gold and Red.
I believe as well that the removable spike is a replacement from another helmet, based on the difference in colour and patina.
Your helmet, and other grey ones, are this grey colour because they are of the M1915 Variant, introduced during WW1 as a form of camouflage, making the helmet less reflective in the light. Brass fittings were used on the vast majority of line helmets throughout the rest of the Pickelhaube's lifespan, the most common being the M1895 Variant.
The M1915 is also denoted by the fact that it has a removable spike with a "Bayonet Attachment" as yours does, whereas a standard line example will not have this.
Overall your helmet looks good, aside from the faults pointed out by Steve and Myself.
Thank you i really appreciate the information!
 
Looks like a pretty good Model 1915 (when the metalwork changed from brass to painted grey iron/steel for non-reflective reasons on the battlefield) for the State of Baden - see the internal makers inked stamp which certainly looks good. Can't say I like the looks of the Kokardes (at least one of which is super wrong) or the chinstrap, which is not very convincing for authenticity. Generally has the makings of a nice helmet, well done! I would have bought it in a heartbeat, despite these fairly obvious faults.
Steve
Thanks for the info I really appreciate it!
 
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