how do you hold a pickelhaube...

[stuka f]

....in hand.
That was always a big question to me...
But I found out now;
(needless to say picture is NOT mine!)

 

[911car]

Or like this. The grim reality:

 

[b.loree]

Wow Bruno, that reality is in fact horrifically grim!

 

[Sandmann]

That is really hideous and should not be published without the protection of minors

 

[pickelhauben]

Wow !!

I wonder if that is the reason for so much of our helmets lacking there liners.

The brutality of war.

 

[SkipperJohn]

Apparently holding a Pickelhaube by the spike was not uncommon:

John

 

[b.loree]

It does seem to be the most convenient way to hold your helmet. Especially when posing for a photo. I am not an expert in photographic history but I believe the individuals being photographed turn of the century had to remain absolutely still for a fairly lengthy time, certainly by modern standards. Consequently, holding your haube by it’s spike or placing it on a table beside you would help.

 

[Sandmann]

Also Otto von Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm I. used to hold their Helmets on the Spikes
Source: wikipedia.org (Anton von Werner-Kaiserproklamation, zweite Fassung 1882)

 

[stuka f]

Among the crowd as well!
Even one as if there was beer in it.. ;-)

 

[SkipperJohn]

We finally have an answer to the age old question, "Did the spike on a Pickelhaube have any function?"
The answer is, "Yes, it was a handle!"

John

 

[stuka f]

 

[aicusv]

Back in the day we would spit shine the visors on our caps. You would never touch that part of the cap as it would mess up the shine. Maybe???

 

[911car]

We finally have an answer to the age old question, "Did the spike on a Pickelhaube have any function?"
The answer is, "Yes, it was a handle!"

John

And much improved in artillery