M1915 Prussian Pickelhaube
- Thread starter Freikorps1919
- Start date
SkipperJohn
Well-known member
In my personal opinion I would buy a fake for reenacting.
These pieces are too valuable, too rare, too scarce, and too historical, to be used in reenactments.
I'm not interested in reenacting at all (few veterans are), but it just makes sense not to destroy these items.
Just my opinion.
John
These pieces are too valuable, too rare, too scarce, and too historical, to be used in reenactments.
I'm not interested in reenacting at all (few veterans are), but it just makes sense not to destroy these items.
Just my opinion.
John
Freikorps1919
Member
I can take a closer look and let you know what is up with it.
Also would you know how old that one cockade is, is it a repro or repainted original?
Are the chinstraps usually pretty cwispy, this one has a few age cracks in the leather.
Also would you know how old that one cockade is, is it a repro or repainted original?
Are the chinstraps usually pretty cwispy, this one has a few age cracks in the leather.
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SkipperJohn
Well-known member
In the third photo the Kokarde on the bottom is fake.
You can see how the flare on the center hole in the first two photos is from the inside out.
The flare on the bottom Kokarde is rolled over towards the inside. Dead give away.
Interestingly the fake Kokarde, though probably magnetic, will weigh substantially more than the original.
The weight thing can become important if you are looking for a rarity. I got fooled once with one of these common fakes.
The seller had filed down the inside hole with a round file so that it appeared correct. The diameter of the hole was not significantly different than an original. The weight was the final determining factor. They are quite a bit heavier. You can tell the difference just by holding both in your hands.
John
You can see how the flare on the center hole in the first two photos is from the inside out.
The flare on the bottom Kokarde is rolled over towards the inside. Dead give away.
Interestingly the fake Kokarde, though probably magnetic, will weigh substantially more than the original.
The weight thing can become important if you are looking for a rarity. I got fooled once with one of these common fakes.
The seller had filed down the inside hole with a round file so that it appeared correct. The diameter of the hole was not significantly different than an original. The weight was the final determining factor. They are quite a bit heavier. You can tell the difference just by holding both in your hands.
John
Freikorps1919
Member
Yes, the bottom cockade is fake, I used it as a reference so maybe the one that came with the pickelhuabe could be identified as either a repro or idk. It definately looks way different than the repro that is about all I know.
Freikorps1919
Member
Here is a view of the front, lol there is so much dust that the outline of the wappen is visible.
Also, is that chinstrap original or is it an old repro? The thing is very, very cwispy and the slightest pressure would shred it into about 1000 pieces.
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My first impression is that your strap is an old repro. Normally, the straps are only dyed on one side, this is dyed on both which is done on modern leather. The stitching on the buckles......normally 4 stitches and the thread is looped around the sides for better security. If you have a black light, you could see if this thread lights up. Original thread is 100% cotton and will not light up.
Freikorps1919
Member
I hope the strap is a repro because it is very crispy and brittle, which isn't good for an original.