American Pickelhaube

[Feragorn]

While in Charleston at the USS Yorktown. I visited the Medal of Honor Museum on the ship. An interesting Museum by itself, i became more intrigued when I saw this.

It said "US Cavalry Officer's Dress Helmet". I saw it, and realized it was a pickelhaube! the ribbon on top of the Wappen says "E Pluribus Unum", there's a quite obvious American Eagle, and the cockades (which you can't see well) are brass (I think) with a red white and blue design.

What else can you guys tell me about American Pickelhaubes, and how many other examples are there?

 

[Liongules]

Accordining to information I found, the pickelhaube was introduced to the US Cavalry in 1872, the infantry in 1881 and the rest of the army in 1888.

Searching the 'net I found these photos, one of a complete cavalry helmet with cords and bush, and one of an artillery helmet with cords and bush. The first thing I notice is the eagle on the two helmets I found is different, and the spike base if very different.

 

[Feragorn]

Interesting...

I wonder how much else there is about them. I didnt find much more than that when i looked them up.

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

here is a Ebay link to one of the books out there on these helmets, I am pretty sure there are others.

James

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guide-Book-U-S-Army-Dress-Helmets-1872-1904-NEW-/270605437558?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f01574a76

 

[pointystuff]

And this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOK-HATS-OFF-HEAD-DRESS-OF-THE-U-S-ARMY-1872-1912_W0QQitemZ110561137724QQcategoryZ7271QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D270605437558%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6980081149968881999

 

[drakegoodman]

M1881 Indian Wars Mounted Service Dress Helmet. He is a senior officer because his plume is made of yak or buffalo hair rather than horse hair.

 

[Liongules]

M1881 Indian Wars Mounted Service Dress Helmet. He is a senior officer because his plume is made of yak or buffalo hair rather than horse hair.

Actually, I believe he's a First Lieutenant. His epaulette had the regimental number "3" in the middle and then there is the single bar of a lietuenant showing. The rank emblem was embroidered on each side of the regimental number. Second Lieutenants in the US Army had no rank insignia until the gold colored "butterbar" was approved in 1917.

I find it interesting too that he didn't bother to wear a white shirt collar to show in the opening of his tunic collar.

 

[drakegoodman]

Thanks forthe clarification Liongules.

I confess I know squat about this chap and relied wholly and soley on information gleaned from a hurried email from a contact in the U.S.

Much appreciated.

 

[joerookery]

ps1387 by joerookery, on Flickr

American militia from Geneva Ohio. Date and uniform is not certain. It looks very much like there is some sort of bird on the top of this helmet. I have not seen anything like this so far.


ps1387b by joerookery, on Flickr