Model 1915 Preußen Infantry Mannschaften Pickelhaube

[JamesE]

Hi, I am new to this and just purchased a 1915 Model PreuBen Infantry Mannschaften Pickelhaube from Ebay. It does look authentic in appearance from what I have found online and its age. It is missing the strap in the front and the liner is pretty much rotted away. My general question is the size. It is all leather, and the crest on the front seems proportional to the helmet, but it is incredibly small, like small child small.

Were these models made this size intentionally or has something happened to my example?

Thanks,

James

 

[Sandmann]

Hello James and welcome to the forum.
The helmet looks good for me, but unfortunately was not treated kindly. People used to be smaller according to height, and leather sometimes shrinks over the years. You can see it on your helmet by looking at the metal parts. The rear spine is no longer in 100% contact with the helmet and the leather on the front visor is too small for the visor trim.

 

[b.loree]

Welcome to the forum James. As Sandy says, people were smaller when these helmets were worn and they have shrunk over the decades. The sizes in my experience ranged from 53cm to 60cm with half sizes available as well. The size number is usually ink stamped up in the crown of the shell or on the underside of the rear visor. These helmets tend to shrink inwards so we see here that your front visor has separated from the shell. This can be stitched back on. Quite often when this happens the visor trim splits or totally breaks with the inward pressure. The missing liner is also common as these were made from thin sheepskin and rot or get eaten by rodents. As you say, the helmet needs a chinstrap but the cockades are gone as well.

 

[Naprawiacz]

Welcome to the forum James.Today I repaired for the first time in my life pickelhaube ,which I could put on my head.The condition was hopeless,but I insisted on making it because of the size.I have dozens of uniforms and none fit me unfortunately.Regards
Wojtek

 

[b.loree]

Yes I am a size 58 cm so those hauben, I can wear. However, the most common size range that I have seen are 55 cm - 57cm . The 58 cm’s are there but not common. I do have a size 60 officer shell and I did own a 60 JzP M15 at one time but these are very rare.

 

[ccj]

You have great talents sir