Collector's Dilemma: you have some nice Überzug (cloth covers) for Pickelhaubes, but how to display them? Do you cover an expensive Pickelhaube? Here is my solution; make "faux Pickelhaubes" that have the shape and size of an original to display your Überzug.
Step 1: Choose your smallest M1915 Pickelhaube as a model. It is important to select the smallest one, as the size will be increased by the making of the faux Pickelhaube.
Step 2: We use an M1915 so the spike top can be removed. Remove the spike and wrap the Pickelhaube carefully in a kitchen wrap. Be generous, you cannot allow any gaps in the wrap. I wrapped it five or six times in different directions.
Step 3: Go to a medical supply store and buy some bandage cast material which comes in rolls. If you are on good terms with your doctor, ask about getting five or six rolls. Cut the rolls into strips.
Step 4: Dip the bandage cast strips in water and layer the wrapped helmet. Only do a thin layer.
Step 5: Once it has dried for an hour or two, carefully cut away the kitchen wrap and remove the Pickelhaube. If you were careful in wrapping it, there will be no plaster on the helmet. If there is, no big deal, wipe it off with a wet cloth.
Step 6: Here is the completely covered shell. Note the outline of the features such as the chinstrap, Wappen, side posts, rear spine etc. This is why we use a complete helmet as a model. Now the inside is reinforced with more bandage cast strips. If you keep adding to the exterior, the shell will get too big for your cloth Überzug. The inside does not matter.
Step 7: Wrap the spike top and repeat the above process. Only do a thin layer and only do 2/3 of the spike so you can pop it out once it has dried. Once the spike is out, finish off the shape. Once dry, fill the inside of the spike with bandage cast material to strengthen it, and attach it onto the top of the shell.
Step 8: As the dried bandage cast material is absorbent, it must be sealed by a thick coat of varnish or lacquer.
Step 9: Last, the shell is sprayed with gloss black. Once done, I put the faux helmet on a shelf and forget about it for a month or two so it has completely set and aired out.
Here is a faux Pickelhaube for a Bayern (Bavarian) officer. Note the cruciform spike base and squared front visors.
Here is a faux Garde Tschako for a Tschako Überzug. Sadly, I do not have an issued cover. :|
And finally, two examples.
Step 1: Choose your smallest M1915 Pickelhaube as a model. It is important to select the smallest one, as the size will be increased by the making of the faux Pickelhaube.
Step 2: We use an M1915 so the spike top can be removed. Remove the spike and wrap the Pickelhaube carefully in a kitchen wrap. Be generous, you cannot allow any gaps in the wrap. I wrapped it five or six times in different directions.
Step 3: Go to a medical supply store and buy some bandage cast material which comes in rolls. If you are on good terms with your doctor, ask about getting five or six rolls. Cut the rolls into strips.
Step 4: Dip the bandage cast strips in water and layer the wrapped helmet. Only do a thin layer.
Step 5: Once it has dried for an hour or two, carefully cut away the kitchen wrap and remove the Pickelhaube. If you were careful in wrapping it, there will be no plaster on the helmet. If there is, no big deal, wipe it off with a wet cloth.
Step 6: Here is the completely covered shell. Note the outline of the features such as the chinstrap, Wappen, side posts, rear spine etc. This is why we use a complete helmet as a model. Now the inside is reinforced with more bandage cast strips. If you keep adding to the exterior, the shell will get too big for your cloth Überzug. The inside does not matter.
Step 7: Wrap the spike top and repeat the above process. Only do a thin layer and only do 2/3 of the spike so you can pop it out once it has dried. Once the spike is out, finish off the shape. Once dry, fill the inside of the spike with bandage cast material to strengthen it, and attach it onto the top of the shell.
Step 8: As the dried bandage cast material is absorbent, it must be sealed by a thick coat of varnish or lacquer.
Step 9: Last, the shell is sprayed with gloss black. Once done, I put the faux helmet on a shelf and forget about it for a month or two so it has completely set and aired out.
Here is a faux Pickelhaube for a Bayern (Bavarian) officer. Note the cruciform spike base and squared front visors.
Here is a faux Garde Tschako for a Tschako Überzug. Sadly, I do not have an issued cover. :|
And finally, two examples.
