Found a Pickelhaube Wappen

chriskvark

New member
My mate sent me pictures of a Pickelhaube his grandfather supposedly took of a dead German infantryman during the great war. Can anyone tell if its real and if it is from when, I'm guessing 1850's - 1880's due to there being no metal loop that would slot into the helmet and it looks to be made from copper ? There's a singular hole in the front that I think may of been from his grandad putting a hole in it to mount it somewhere ? But on the back there are no holes or soldering marks, only the single hole below the FR.

Thanks guys,

Chris :DView attachment 2View attachment 2
 
Well, that is a standard M1895 pattern Prussian issued Eagle Wappen.

Quite odd that there are no loops for a standard Pickelhaube or tube for an Ersatz Pickelhaube. Possibly it was held onto an Ersatz helmet thought that hole?
 
I have seen this type of eagle on a few ersats helmets this was mounted on it with a single screw into the center of the eagle
Seen it on bing helmets as wel on a weisenburger helmet
 
That's why I'm wondering if its real, could it possible that it had a plate in front of it like the 1895 version ? or that it went on a shako for a jager battalion or something ?
 
This Prussian wappen looks to be original in my opinion. The fact that there is no solder or loops on the back is very unusual. The hole in the chest could be for a reservist cross.
 
This is a well know type of Wappen that affixes with a single screw to an ersatz helmet. It dates form 1914, later they were made of steel due to the shortaces of tim to make brass in Germany.
 
Here are a couple of examples that I found on the internet:

LYfZRq6.jpg


VsYKwA7.jpg


It seems that the Imperial German Army was far less concerned with double holes, soldered loops, original screw fasteners, original zinc washers, and so forth, than we are as collectors.

John :)
 
b.loree said:
Very interesting, I have never seen that before. Note.....2 ersatz tin helmets!

You should spend more time on the forum and less in bars. This type of Wappen has been discussed a number of times, with many examples shown and even period photos showing the helmets in use. :)
 
Gustaf said:
b.loree said:
Very interesting, I have never seen that before. Note.....2 ersatz tin helmets!

You should spend more time on the forum and less in bars. This type of Wappen has been discussed a number of times, with many examples shown and even period photos showing the helmets in use. :)

Really I need to look it up.

I too have never seen this.


I thank you for sharing as well.

Looks like you have a rare wappen there !


:thumb up:
 
I would say that the hole, by itself, does not make it rare. The hole could be an attachment point for a reserve cross or some other device.
I would say that the combination of the hole and the lack of solder, where loops or screws should be, is what would make it rare. Since I have only seen these on wartime helmets, almost always Ersatz, I would suggest that these were used as a rapid production measure. Get the helmets out and do it FAST!
That would be my guess.

John :)
 
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