Am I seeing this one correctly?

poniatowski

poniatowski

Well-known member
I see a wartime general's Pickelhaube. The 'lip' of the spike, where it's on the base should be rolled inward, this one is not, but wartime? A later manufactured type? The chinscale rosettes aren't curved, again, wartime? I'm not interested in the helmet, just wondering what others think.
Cheers!
Ron
 
I believe it is a Bavarian that has had the guard wappen added and cocades changed. I see an extra hole for a wappen screw in one of the photos. A Generals cruciform spike base should have the 4th star, not a round headed brad in front. The guard star is late based on the flatter profile. I don’t believe a German General would have tolerated such a helmet, although in war-time, we can’t be certain.

Ron
 
Yes, I agree. The spike certainly looks Bavarian. Ron, that's a good point about the star. Another reason to think it's a Bavarian / parts helmet. I had forgotten about that style of Bavarian spike.
 
Hello, this helmet has none of the quality of a General. It's an Extra-Helm M71/14, Kriegsqualität: red and green oilcloth, varnished cardboard sweatband etc...
Given the piercing behind the eagle, and the type of spike, this is probably a Bavarian Chevauleger officer's helmet, on which the old Bavarian M86 plate has been exchanged for this Prussian Guard Reserve officer's eagle. To be returned to its correct configuration.
 
Agreed on all of the above. Could also explain the NCO Prussian kokarde where the Bavarian would have been swapped out. Interesting in that it looks like the front brad on the spike base is a split pin that has not been opened for some reason...can't imagine that would have been comfortable. I've seen a lot of Bavarians with the flat rosettes holding convex chinscales, too. (Didn't the Bavarian infantry adopt semi-convex chinscales shortly before the war?)

A shame - looks like an otherwise nice vulcanfibre example with great form.
 
Jeff R said:
Agreed on all of the above. Could also explain the NCO Prussian kokarde where the Bavarian would have been swapped out. Interesting in that it looks like the front brad on the spike base is a split pin that has not been opened for some reason...can't imagine that would have been comfortable. I've seen a lot of Bavarians with the flat rosettes holding convex chinscales, too. (Didn't the Bavarian infantry adopt semi-convex chinscales shortly before the war?)

A shame - looks like an otherwise nice vulcanfibre example with great form.
Click to expand...
Maybe the split brad's 'arms' broke at one point, or the person doesn't want to risk breaking them by bending them outward. Most likely a lot of messing done with this one.
Also, the spike is taller than the Bavarian officer helmets I have, but that doesn't mean a thing.

Cheers!
 
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