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Here is the final photo of my Officers Tschapka to the 11th Ulan Regiment that Brian has been working on the last few months. She's back home now, with the last original pieces added to complete the project. Brian did an outstanding job, bringing this Tschapka back from a "barn find" to it's...

The original process of gold gilt wash that was used on swords, and I assume with helmet fittings was a gold mixed with Mercury and heated. The mercury would evaporate leaving a rich gold finish. OSHA these days would never allow this process.

I hope members of the forum might be able to help me translate the abbreviations that appear on the inside dome of an early 1860-70 Pickelhaube and on the rear visor. They are heavily worn and hard to make out, but I have attached a few photos that might help. Any suggestions or thoughts would...

Thanks John. No worries I had not thought you had implied the visor was replaced. I agree, I too believe the Kokarde is a later piece. Are there any really good references with a large selection of images of these earlier helmets that you would recommend? Thanks. Joe

Thanks for your note. When I purchased it at the time i just wiped it off, cut a custom block for it and put it on the shelf so it would maintain its shape. The front visor appeared to be original along with the stitching which you can see from the one photo, but I did I didn't think much of...

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have always been from the camp where with metal work -- mostly sword hilts -- that has a rich patina, that once removing what time gave, you will never be able to get it back in the same form. Here are a couple of photos of the next project, that will require...

Max Thank you for sharing your photograph collection of Ulans! There are two or three images that look like that date from the 1890's where the enlisted soldier is wearing what appears to be his Tschapka cords looped and across his chest. Is there a name for this practice, and when would the...

I have had a nice old 1860's-70's period line Infantry Pickelhaube in my collection, but lately its caught my eye next to its younger pre-WWI counterparts who stand out with bright brass. The pickelhaube is in fairly good shape, all things considered with a couple of parts that need to be...

Sorry I can't tell you, but the Black and white is correct for the Hohenzollern family, but the crown is not their family style nor the eagle in terms of design. A mystery!

Material related to Austrian and German alpine troops is always hard to come upon. My last posting focused on an Ice Ax from a Baden Machine Gun Company. The Austrian sword of Mountain Troops and in particular the Officers sword is a unique item. In 1907 a short sword with an ornate (with...

Though not a Pickelhauben, this Ice Ax I thought readers might be interested in seeing as they are rarely found, let alone unit marked. This particular Ax belonged to the 250th Maschinen-Gewehr-Abteilung (MGA). This Ice Ax is a long shaft version of which only a small number were provided to...

Brian I've greatly enjoyed following the restoration of the Tschapka. When I found this piece last summer one could see the potential given it was nearly complete in terms of all it's components, but would require the skills and passion of an expert and artist who could bring her back to her...