knurled rings on spike?

[gregM]

Here is the first of what will most likely be many rookie questions.---
On several Prussian spikes that I have looked at, there are 2 knurled
rings in the spike about 1/3 of way up.

This ebay helmet is an example--
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pickelhaube-Preussen-gut-erhalten_W0QQitemZ160273286065QQihZ006QQcategoryZ34649QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

To me these look completely out of place. Was this done on period
helmets?
This style helmet is very much like what I would like to add
to my Ek collection.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[Lost Skeleton]

Hi Greg:

Welcome! Those rings are perfectly legitimate for spikes found on officer and privately purchased helmets. The eBay listing qualifies as the latter. For this to be an officer's helmet, the domed retainers securing the spike base would be replaced by stars. Helmets in this configuration were often purchased by one year volunteers (Einjahrigfreiwilliger).

I would anticipate the interior to likewise be the private purchase style, consisting of a cloth headliner and leather sweatband. However, the seller doesn't provide us with a picture.

It appears to be a very credible example.

Happy hunting!

Charles

 

[joerookery]

Greg,

That's a very great question! The two rings were an "officers" symbol on conical type spikes.

However these could be purchased by anyone and like this helmet, was for a non- officer. It would be hopeful to say that all private purchase spikes had these rings but that is not the case. Most all of them did. They definitely were around during the time.

This helmet in particular is not in officers form. Look at the base of the spike. A full officer should have stars connecting it.

. Maybe Tony will move this thread to pickelhaube discussion for adding more!

You will quickly find out that rules were not always followed. Here is an example of a volunteer one-year who was wearing a full "officer helmet".

 

[gregM]

Thanks for the quick replys. I am already learning things I did not
know. Including the bit about the stars.

Thanks

 

[pointystuff]

The Age of Kings site has a Bavarian helmet with the ringed spike, but no egg-and-dart perlring and no star studs on the base.
Regards,
Brad

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

// Maybe Tony will move this thread to pickelhaube discussion for adding more!//

Moved it.

// Here is an example of a volunteer one-year who was wearing a full "officer helmet".//

And what a great photo of a man wearing a full 'officer' spike complete with stars and 'egg & dart' perlring, but with Mannschaften Kokarden! Very nice!