Does Anybody Else Collect Headgear Sets?

SkipperJohn

Well-known member
I thought of writing this post when I was adding a different post to the forum. When I find a new Pickelhaube it seems that I automatically try to find the soft cap that goes with it. I have not always been successful, and often I haven't really tried that hard. I have had some successes, over time, and I thought I would share some of them here.

Prussian Infantry M95 with private purchase Schirmmütze:

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Baden Infantry private purchase with Tellermütze. Note that the headband is very thin, about 1/3 the overall height. It's just big enough for a Kokarde:

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Bavarian 1868 Raupenhelm with private purchase Schirmmütze:

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Saxon 101st Regiment with Schirmmütze. This Schirmmütze has some damage to the upper piping and some paint missing from the Kokarde:

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Prussian Infantry Officer:

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Prussian 9th Grenadier Officer with Schirmmütze. Note the Schirmmütze is early as indicated by the thin piping:

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Oldenburg 91st Infantry Regiment. The Schirmmütze is probably 1870 as indicated by the thicker piping. The headband is 1/2 total height:

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Prussian Artillery:

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Bavarian Infantry about 1902:

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John :)
 
Now that is the coolest idea ever. Wish I could. I am getting a German postcard that shows the monument to Infanterie-Regiment "von Goeben" (2. Rheinisches) Nr. 28, which is the Regiment of the soldier who owned one of my pickelhaubes.
 

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Excellent sets Skip! I have never gotten into sets like these but they are very cool. What I have done courtesy of a suggestion from Mr T Schnurr is to collect shoulder straps from the hauben I have from identified Regts. For example, I have dunkelblau straps to JR 115, 119, 91, 94 etc. I like the pre 1910 straps for their "colour". I also have a postcard showing members of JR 52 wearing their numbered Uberzugs which matches my green numbered JR 52 uberzug from the collection. So, there are lots of interesting pickelhaube combinations. :thumb up:
 
Here is my contribution, not as great as John's, but you have to work with what you have.

Prussian Infantry circa 1917
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and Prussian Infantry circa 1918
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Gustaf,
Those are great sets!!!
I have only purchased two wartime grey Mützen and they were both fake. They were well marked --- with a Sharpie!
I took one home from the gun show (where I bought it) and when I put it under black light the red band lit up the room.
I have not had good luck with these. You have a couple of excellent sets there.
My only contribution to your wartime sets is my M1916 with Saxon Schirmmütze:

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The helmet is interesting because it has a number stamped in the dome and telltale stretch marks:

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Good job with your wartime sets. They are hard to find in such great condition.

John :bravo:
 
I do like the idea.

I do not do it myself, unless for comparison purposes or to mixe old friends and foes on occasions...

Best

Alex
 

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John,
You have an awe-inspiring collection of German headgear. Thanks for sharing pictures of it.
Best regards,
John
 
My latest set:

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Prussian M95 with Mütze.

The Mütze is well marked:

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The rank shown is a bit unusual:

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Handwerker is the rank shown on the label. I am not sure what this is. It could mean artisan, so he could have been a baker, armorer, cobbler, or other tradesman. Handwerker; however, could also mean handyman or general laborer.
Any opinions on this are welcome.

John
 
Hi John,
Very nice set!
A Handwerker is a soldier that makes uniforms and equipment; part of the uniforms and equipment were bought ready-made, and part was made by Handwerker within the German army. It meant that tailors and cobblers etc. that entered the German army could be put to work continuing their trade, but at German army pay level. :)
In the decade before the 1914 they realised that this didn't always result in fully trained soldiers, and they introduced more civilian workers and changed the organisation and inspection procedure as well.
More info in "Dienstanweisung für die Bekleidungsämter", 1897 and 1904 editions
Regards,
Lars
 
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And: "Die Bekleidungsämter des deutschen Heeres unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Vergebung der Heereslieferungen an Handwerkerkorporationen", Carl Vincke, 1912
 
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