Lost Skeleton
Well-known member
I suspect the pre-1913 I/II Battalion officer's helmet represents both the ultimate dream and worst nightmare for collectors of Pickelhauben. With so many frauds and fakes in circulation, one has to exercise extreme caution when approaching I.R. 92 as the prices for bona fide specimens are astronomical. In 2013, I was fortunate in acquiring an I.R. 92, I/II Bat. other ranks private purchase helmet to parade — which is the closest I thought I would ever get to the officer's helmet. Nevertheless, I had been tracking one seemingly legitimate example for years, but the seller wanted $12K, which I considered unconscionable. Furthermore, the Heinrich der Löwe star was damaged and I was not permitted to remove the Helmadler for that critical "behind the scenes" closer look. The last time I sighted the helmet was SOS 2014.
Consequently, one can imagine my surprise when I encountered the following at the MAX this weekend. I could find only one potential deal-breaker upon initial examination, but the seller gladly allowed me to inspect the reverse of the Adler. Obviously, I was satisfied — otherwise I would have nothing to share with you today. However, I shall withhold identifying the fault to see which sharp-eyed critic will notice it, too.
First, the overall view:
The interior with its fore and aft colored visor panels:
Appropriately, the spike cone can be exchanged for a parade Trichter:
Removing the Wappen reveals the accumulated grime of the past century:
Note the chipped and cracked paint on the Braunschweig Kokarde:
Now, for the critical stuff — the Fuerst Adler dismounted:
Note the remaining traces of green in the peacock feathers surmounting the ducal coronet of Saxony. Also note the voided cage of the Bavarian great bascinet. The panache tower joining the Saxon and Bavarian coronets symbolizes the enfeoffment of Heinrich der Löwe. The horse has long been the symbol of Lower Saxony.
The all-important reverse. The stamping is so proud there can be no question of it being a galvano copy. I find it interesting that the eagle breast feathers terminate just below the Fuerst riband. Being obscured by the star on the obverse, they are superfluous.
Another view:
As one would expect from a thin die-stamping, the reverse displays all of the detail of the obverse. The eagle's head:
The PENINSULA battle honor bandeau:
Well, that's my dissection. Now, it's your turn.
Consequently, one can imagine my surprise when I encountered the following at the MAX this weekend. I could find only one potential deal-breaker upon initial examination, but the seller gladly allowed me to inspect the reverse of the Adler. Obviously, I was satisfied — otherwise I would have nothing to share with you today. However, I shall withhold identifying the fault to see which sharp-eyed critic will notice it, too.
First, the overall view:
The interior with its fore and aft colored visor panels:
Appropriately, the spike cone can be exchanged for a parade Trichter:
Removing the Wappen reveals the accumulated grime of the past century:
Note the chipped and cracked paint on the Braunschweig Kokarde:
Now, for the critical stuff — the Fuerst Adler dismounted:
Note the remaining traces of green in the peacock feathers surmounting the ducal coronet of Saxony. Also note the voided cage of the Bavarian great bascinet. The panache tower joining the Saxon and Bavarian coronets symbolizes the enfeoffment of Heinrich der Löwe. The horse has long been the symbol of Lower Saxony.
The all-important reverse. The stamping is so proud there can be no question of it being a galvano copy. I find it interesting that the eagle breast feathers terminate just below the Fuerst riband. Being obscured by the star on the obverse, they are superfluous.
Another view:
As one would expect from a thin die-stamping, the reverse displays all of the detail of the obverse. The eagle's head:
The PENINSULA battle honor bandeau:
Well, that's my dissection. Now, it's your turn.
:thumb up: 
