M15 Reserve Officer's pickelhaube Würtemberg

Adler

Adler

New member
A while ago, I posted a Bavarian M15 Artillerie officer’s pickelhaube with removable kugel and chinscales. This one is of the same type of construction.
It’s a M15 Pickelhaube for a Reserve Offizier der Infanterie from Würtemberg. This helmet has also the same differences with the M95 Pickelhaube.
In 1915 the new pickelhaube for all ranks was introduced. The M15 with gray metal fittings, had a removable spike (or kugel) and a leather chinstrap on M91 sideposts. To have the same appearance (with helmet cover) as the enlisted model, the new officer’s model was introduced.
The M15 officer’s model had also a removable spike with bayonet fitting and M91 sideposts. Hereby the officer was able to remove the spike and change the chinscales by a leather chinstrap when necessary. By doing so, the officer could be less spotted amongst the regular soldiers.
The metal fittings of the M15 were in fact the same as the M95, but inferior materials were used to conserve more precious metals as brass… They received some goldwash instead of being mercury guilded.
In this case, just look at the spike, spike base and the rear spine, where almost all of the goldwash is gone…
On the other hand, this helmet’s wappen is still a guilded specimen. It has also the inscription on the bandeau and therefore the reserve cross has none.
Most of the time the shell of the M15 was made of fiber, but this one was made of leather.
Enjoy the pics…

Adler
 
BEAUTIFUL Karel! :cry:
Nothing beats M15s IMO! :bravo:

Chas (Lost Skeleton) also has a nice similar pickelhaube only with non colored under visors... I guess in Württemberg you were allowed to wear squared visors with cruciform spike bases on flat chinscales for the Infantry?

It looks like the cockades are not the "textbook" M15 removable type but rather permanently attached by the Knopf 91s, correct? Are they magnetic steel with a silver wash?
What about the Knopf 91s? What are they made of? Magnetic or not?
 
That's indeed another great helmet =D> Thanks for sharing!


RON said:
It looks like the cockades are not the "textbook" M15 removable type but rather permanently attached by the Knopf 91s, correct? Are they magnetic steel with a silver wash?
What about the Knopf 91s? What are they made of? Magnetic or not?
Click to expand...

One thing I learned here is that its difficult to speak of textbook examples given the large variety in haubes and their parts despite the general guidelines for their assembly. This is also one of the main reasons why collecting haubes is hugely interesting.

Regards,

Edwin
 
Thanks for your replies gentlemen!

One thing I learned here is that its difficult to speak of textbook examples given the large variety in haubes and their parts despite the general guidelines for their assembly.
Click to expand...
Well, I guess that's true. The more you know, the more complicated it gets...
Ron, the Kokarden are not removable, in fact they are stuck as rock. They are made of zinc with a silverwash, so non magnetic... The M91 posts are guilded brass...

Adler 1
 
Hey Karel,
The cockades on my (one and only) M15 Officer Pickelhaube (Prussian Infantry) are also fixed.
However, my cockades are magnetic steel with silver washed officer rings while the M91 posts are non-magnetic gilded brass...
 
One thing I learned here is that its difficult to speak of textbook examples given the large variety in haubes and their parts despite the general guidelines for their assembly. This is also one of the main reasons why collecting haubes is hugely interesting.
Click to expand...

:thumb up: :thumb up:
 
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