Four Pickelhaube

J

JK1945

New member
Hello Gents,

Although I'm still yet to negotiate a price I was offered these picklehauben from a family friend today. These will be my first. My knowledge of pickelhaube is very slim to none hence why I joined this website which I have enjoyed viewing thus far, especially the restorations.

Anyway the four helmets, nothing special and all rough as guts but I feel will still look presentable enough after a light clean amongst other WW1 related militaria.

Helmet 1: I believe a Model 1895 pioneer Helmet? Chin strap looks repo, Cockades have been repainted (badly), don't know if they are orig or not as I'm still a novice and haven't done my homework yet. Worried about the plate as well as it just seems to lack detail of the others. Rear visor also needs restitching. "PB10" pressed into the rear visor along with what looks like a date stamp but i cant make it out (It looks like 1908 but cant be sure).









 
Helmet 2: 1895 Artillery? All brass fittings, chin strap appears original, only has the one cockade which again looks repainted. unfortunately the front visor band is broken in half however still sits in place, and looks as if something has sat on top of it and pushed the crown in slightly. I do love the Wappen though, nice crisp detail (private purchase?). Cant find any markings.





 
Helmet 3: Model 1915 Prussian, solid Helm with original chin strap, no cockades. Little bit of surface rust on spike base, and unfortunately the Wappen has the Orb missing. It looks like the Orb was once held on by thread (still present). Has a "9" stamped in the rear Visor and another stamp which I cant read except for "Dusseldorf". The line above it looks like "VII. A. K."?







 
Last one, another 1915 but Bayern, slightly miss-shappen, original chinstrap and again no cockades. the posts have been broken of the Wappen and it as been wired on. Stamp inside has 241 in box with "B.D. III" and "1916". Has a name on rear visor but haven't a clue what it says. "R. L????...

All the helmets have supple liners and chin straps.

Cheers!









 
Welcome to the forum, I think all 4 look fine, and a great way to start collecting. clean them up a little, find the missing parts and there you go.

James
 
Welcome aboard.
I think that all four are good, but I have a couple of concerns.
The Pioneer Wappen is exceptionally pristine. That always makes me curious.
The rear spine on the Pioneer lacks a vent. Could be a replacement part.
The Wappen on the artillery Haube appears to be an officers pattern.
Depending upon price I would buy them all. The parts you would need can be found.

John :)
 
Thank you for your welcome and comments Gents, they are appreciated.

Skipper, The Pioneer Wappen concerns me as well. I'll post some pics in the natural light today (although here in New Zealand weather isn't that flash at the moment).

I read on Tony's Kaiser Bunker that the rear spine with vent was initially only added to Infantry 1895 helmets with other units not being issued them until after 1914? Was thinking that was maybe the case with this one.

The Artillery Wappen looks like its always been there so I don't think I will mess with it. (Granted it could have been swapped out or replaced post war 90 years ago).


Regards,

Jeremy
 
Some close ups of the Pioneer Wappen under some natural light. One thing I've noticed is that all the metal parts appear to have been varnished at some stage. easier to see on the spine and spike, not so easy to photograph on the Wappen. The Wappen has a slight yellowish hue but you can see silver highlights where the varnish has worn off.













 
In these pics you can clearly see the varnish on the other parts. Also after looking at the stamp in the light next to PB10 I have confirmed its "1908". Also the spike unfortunately has some damage near the tip.

Regards,

Jeremy.











 
The Wappen is good, immaculate actually.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the varnish. The metal parts were originally lacquered, but more often I've seen dealers varnish these so they appear "brighter". The varnish usually comes off pretty easy. If it is original it only enhances the helmet.
Depending upon price these would be an outstanding start to any Pickelhaube collection.

John :)
 
JK1945 said:
Cheers Gentlemen,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge John, much appreciated :thumb up:

Regards,

Jeremy.
Click to expand...

After a closer look at the photos of the spike and rear spine, I wouldn't touch the varnish/lacquer. It may very well be original.

John :)
 
Some cleaning ,a little sewing on those visors and it will be a big diffrence these look great and best of all they are not those chinafreaky things but helmets that have seen the actual field
Great helmets to start a collection :thumb up:

Jonas
 
Wow! The Pionier Wappen is nigh perfect! Incredibly well preserved, and no doubt in my mind about it being original! Congratulations, you got some good stuff!
 
Those look great. I wish I had been as lucky to find as many varied examples when I started collecting these! Outstanding, and welcome aboard.
 
Great to have you join us. Regarding the artillery, that is an officer wappen and does not belong. The rear spine also has a slider vent which does not work on an arty helmet. Probably this was an M95 Prussian infantry helmet originally. You are very lucky to be offered 4 to start a collection. Buy them all if you can afford it! :D
 
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