Buying Your First OR's Government Issued Pickelhaube

b.loree

b.loree

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Another post from your lead moderator on what to look for when you are buying that first pickelhaube. We have a new member on the forum who is looking for that "first haube". He has been very smart, in the fact that he continues to post links to helmets which are up for sale world wide and the more experienced members including myself are trying to help out with advice from what we see. He is learning from every response that he gets from us. He asks questions for clarification and others which lead to additional knowledge being given on pickelhauben in general. As I said, he is a smart guy and he shows respect and thanks us for our advice. The same "smart approach" should be used with any experienced collector or skilled tradesperson.....anyone who has experience and knowledge that you need, show respect and a simple thank you. More to follow.
 
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So, my first haube was a Prussian M15 bought back in the 1980's before some of you were even born and yet part of my ride on the carousel of life! Thanks Jonas! :) Unfortunately, I have no photos of it and even if I did, they would be non digital. I had no "haube knowledge" I just knew that I wanted one and so I bought it at a military antiques store in Toronto. The liner was fragile and I learned later that it had 'red rot". This occurs when the leather dries out so much that the fibres of the animal skin disintegrate into a rust red dust. There is no cure for this condition. However, enough reminiscing let's take a look at a Prussian M15 which is the most common pickelhaube available here in North America.
IMG_4794.jpegThousands of these Prussian, Baden, Bavarian M15's were captured by US and Allied forces and brought back to N. America. They had been ware housed by the Germans with the introduction of the stahlhelme. Some of these are in mint NOS condition as they were used as War Bond prizes after WW1. However, let's look at this example....note, all grey fittings except for the chin strap buckles have the same colour/patina, this is a good sign that the helmet has not been pieced together. The strap and buckles are repros, look at how "new" the flesh side of the strap looks and the buckles are too square with sharp edges...not good. The wappen stamping here is nice and crisp but other originals may lack detail as the dies wore out later in the war.
IMG_4797.jpegA side view showing a repro Reich kokarde on this helmet....see how the white ring paint is uneven against the red. Observe as well, the end thread at the tip of the rear visor should always be doubled. In addition, the section of liner between M15 visors and officers is always dyed black. I have removed the spike top to show the proper M15 original fitting.
 
How odd can this be that most of every pickel collection i know had started with a pruisian m15 . Back in my day as a green leef in the collectors world of helmets my first one would have been also a pruisian one, if not 2 at the same moment , on a local fair in the eara . but being only 12 years old i did not have the money to spend so i asked my father if he wanted to close in on me but he did not . I regret it still becose i could had both for 20000 fr (500 euro in currant time) so i had to pas on them . But few years after that i went to a military fair in ostend and there i bought my first one from a guy what is become a friend and a teatcher , back in my days as the green leaf . I got much to thank on sander ( 2nd leibhussar ) for teaching me and bringing me where i am now capeble of giving my knodledge to the next generation

Jonas
 

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IMG_4796.jpeg
The typical undyed M15 liner. Some M15 helmets will have the black dyed M95 style liner. All liners are made from 2 oz. vegetable tanned sheep skin. Many pickelhauben have torn or missing liners. However, ideally you want to buy one which is in this condition. There are no markings in this helmet.
IMG_4798.jpeg
The steel grommets tell us that this is an original manufactured M15 and not a "conversion helmet".
 
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To summarize: Many M15's are missing their twist off spike tops. They were made this way in order to reduce the soldier's profile in the trenches. Being removable many of these have been lost over 100+ years as have their kokarden and chin straps. M15 spike tops can be found for sale BUT their colour/patina may not match your fittings :( and your replacement will be very obvious. So when buying, always check out patina on the metal fittings. A second thing to check out, "the fit" of the fittings :), a large gap between the shell and the spine may indicate replacement. There has been leather shrinkage with our helmets so a little gap is acceptable but just take a look. Shrinkage also explains missing front visor trim....as the helmet leather shrinks inward, it splits the metal trim, sometimes completely. On my helmet, you can see a split on the inside of it's trim caused by shrinkage. A last issue, is "condition" you need to buy your first helmet in the best condition that you can afford. Reproduction kokarden and chin strap are acceptable at this point but if you can afford it you want a complete liner and matching fittings. A couple of missing liner tongues or some tears is part of the game but personally, I would not buy a first helmet without liner. I hope this post helps and do not hesitate to ask questions or clarification.
 
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