Info on a Pickelhaube
- Thread starter mike
- Start date
RON
Well-known member
Welcome Mike!
What you've got here is the classic Prussian Infantry Pickelhaube for Enlisted Men Model 1915. This is the wartime version of the M1895 (see example here) whereby all the metal fixtures were switched to grey-oxidized steel to save the much needed brass for shell production and the spike became twist-off to be easily removed in the trenches. If you were to start collecting German Imperial headgear and pickelhauben, this is where you'd start.
Your helmet however is missing some major elements, namely its Reichs Kokarde & Preussen Kokarde (National & Prussian Cockades) and a leather chinstrap (see complete example here). It also appears unissued--whereby it didn't make it to field usage--as I don't see any issue stamps (the circular mark is the maker's).
This was my first pickelhaube and I slowly completed mine. However, its visor stitch line is broken so I'm quietly looking for a nicer more pristine helmet to replace it.
As for value; it would be relative to what this helmet means to you--personally, something handed to me by my grandfather would be priceless--and to a potential buyer. To try and give you a ballpark figure nevertheless, a complete issued helmet in similar condition--very good to excellent--could fetch up to $1,000 give or take a couple of hundreds and depending on the means--militaria dealership intermediary vs. direct sale.
Since yours is:
1/ Unissued--some people prefer the helmets that were actually used/worn/issued and have "been there" even if at the expense of condition; personally I'm OK with both
2/ Missing both cockades--up to $150 for a mint pair
3/ And a leather chinstrap with M15 grey steel fixtures--originals spares are tough to find nowadays in any condition; I remember paying close to $200 for a very worn/dry rotting one almost 5 yrs ago on eBay!
I would say up to $600 if you were to sell it directly. But again, this is just a ballpark estimation.
What you've got here is the classic Prussian Infantry Pickelhaube for Enlisted Men Model 1915. This is the wartime version of the M1895 (see example here) whereby all the metal fixtures were switched to grey-oxidized steel to save the much needed brass for shell production and the spike became twist-off to be easily removed in the trenches. If you were to start collecting German Imperial headgear and pickelhauben, this is where you'd start.
Your helmet however is missing some major elements, namely its Reichs Kokarde & Preussen Kokarde (National & Prussian Cockades) and a leather chinstrap (see complete example here). It also appears unissued--whereby it didn't make it to field usage--as I don't see any issue stamps (the circular mark is the maker's).
This was my first pickelhaube and I slowly completed mine. However, its visor stitch line is broken so I'm quietly looking for a nicer more pristine helmet to replace it.
As for value; it would be relative to what this helmet means to you--personally, something handed to me by my grandfather would be priceless--and to a potential buyer. To try and give you a ballpark figure nevertheless, a complete issued helmet in similar condition--very good to excellent--could fetch up to $1,000 give or take a couple of hundreds and depending on the means--militaria dealership intermediary vs. direct sale.
Since yours is:
1/ Unissued--some people prefer the helmets that were actually used/worn/issued and have "been there" even if at the expense of condition; personally I'm OK with both
2/ Missing both cockades--up to $150 for a mint pair
3/ And a leather chinstrap with M15 grey steel fixtures--originals spares are tough to find nowadays in any condition; I remember paying close to $200 for a very worn/dry rotting one almost 5 yrs ago on eBay!
I would say up to $600 if you were to sell it directly. But again, this is just a ballpark estimation.
edwin
Active member
Welcome to the forum and Ron is absolutely right about your helmet. The market value of a pickelhaube is always a hot topic of discussion. If you are going to sell it on ebay you could be pleasantly surprised about what people are willing to pay for it.
Now, with the centenary approaching, prices of German ww1 militaria are rapidly increasing imho.
Regards,
Edwin
Now, with the centenary approaching, prices of German ww1 militaria are rapidly increasing imho.
Regards,
Edwin
Thanks for the replies and great info. I was given many things by my grandfather. This was not one that had a special tale(that I heard/haha). Just something he had acquired. I look at it every day, for years on my bookshelf and wish to make a nice glass and wood box. I would want to locate a pair of cockades and chinstrap if I keep it. But when I think about it being in someones large collection and having exposure I wish I would get rid of it. The $ could go to framing war bond posters, mounting civil war guns, preserving a 75 yr old american flag. All things he also gave me that I would rather have displayed for all to see with my personal stuff. He was part german. I am more into US military items and VW related items.
It has the round makers mark and 56. I assume the size. Then there is what looks like 2 number ones in pencil. Like 2 check marks next to each other.
I'll keep you guys posted!
Thanks again, Mike
It has the round makers mark and 56. I assume the size. Then there is what looks like 2 number ones in pencil. Like 2 check marks next to each other.
I'll keep you guys posted!
Thanks again, Mike
Welcome Mike. One other bit of info to add to your M15 Prussian OR's helmet. Large stores of unissued German pickelhauben were captured by the Allies. They were shipped back to both Canada and the USA. They were then used as prizes during war bond drives. As such, a helmet like yours which is in unissued condition is often called a War Bond Helmet amongst collectors.
Thanks for the info! This is interesting. Because he also had a lot of war bond posters. The posters are from WW1. Does this make sense. In other words, was the bond drive from WW1? I thought they were WW2 until I did some research.
So does this mean it probably had no cockades and chinstrap?
Thanks, Mike
So does this mean it probably had no cockades and chinstrap?
Thanks, Mike
poniatowski
Well-known member
Hey Mke,
Welcome! Nice 'haube and hats! As far as price goes, I bought my first one for $30 in the 1970's. It was an M15 that had seen better days (the good ones were almost TWICE as much!), but I still have it with an Uberzug on it for display of the cover, NOT the helmet! .... but that's no help now!
Ron
Welcome! Nice 'haube and hats! As far as price goes, I bought my first one for $30 in the 1970's. It was an M15 that had seen better days (the good ones were almost TWICE as much!), but I still have it with an Uberzug on it for display of the cover, NOT the helmet! .... but that's no help now!
Ron