I received this photo from a gentleman in the USA who thought this was a German uniform, but of course, it is US. I have read Joe's article on the American Pickelhaube, but could not get answers there. This is a superb photo of one, with the uniform. The question now, what unit, and when? I was hoping someone could ID the medals, as if for example they were GAR, then it would be at least post civil war. I suspect this photo was taken in the 1880s or 90s, which is around the time that these American spiked helmets are believed to have appeared in some militia units.