Original eagle?

[salamander]

Hello everyone,
I’m new into collecting pickelhaubes-just got one at an auction a couple of months ago (will post it separately), and recently I acquired an eagle which seems to be off of a top of a guard’s „haube”. Would you be so kind as to share your opinion on it being genuine and if so-what exactly is it?
It looks as if someone paid attention to the details, but there are no markings on it.
Thanks for any leads.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Hello,
We need a photo of the underside of the four-lobed base. Beautiful reproductions were made in Paris in the 1980s, but this eagle looks old. However, it is obviously not correctly attached to the base. There are abnormal extra holes.

 

[salamander]

Thank you. There was was one screw as you can see. The one thing that gets me suspicious is the fact that the edges of the cross on top of the crown are nit sharp enough. However, the item was purchased about a decade ago at Fischer’s Auction House in Switzerland.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

I don't have a good feeling about this eagle. I don't like the little rim under the base. Some reproductions are easy to identify... but others are formidable.

 

[salamander]

Well, I didn’t pay much, $50, but I don”t like reproductions. This one seems to be vintage, but even I have doubts about it being original. However, it has some provenance, and as you mentioned I could be a pretty decent piece of art from the second half of the XX century. It would be much better though if it were original. Can you lead me to some resources for further research?
Best, Rob

 

[salamander]

On the other hand, when you compare the base to the other helmet listed on weitze.net now, even the shape of the screw seems right (one is missing). Tough one

 

[Peter B]

I would love to have that for $50......

 

[John Josef]

I'll give ya $100

 

[salamander]

Thanx, I’ll pass. But if this was original I’d trade it for WW2 stuff of similar value

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Hello Rob,
At 50$ you haven't taken any risks, even beautiful reproductions sell for much more. What puzzles me is the absence of the large central screw with the wing nut. It was used to quickly exchange the crest eagle with the point.

 

[salamander]

Perhaps it got lost at some point with the other screw? There is a central hole.
What’s interesting…the only screw has the right shape and it goes right into the thread.
The eagle itself has no remnants of silver coating. It seems very well sculptured, but the base is a bit too well preserved if you compare it to other picks from the list of sold helmets on weitze.net.
I’m wondering how many official fabricators were there working for the keiser. It would be good for comparison. Or perhaps someone was willing to devote a lot of time to produce this replica back in the XX century?