Lost Skeleton
Well-known member
The other day, 'spikeymikey' and I were discussing Garde helmets, and he mentioned my Garde-Füsilier-Regiment/5. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß reserve officer Eigentums-Helm. I was subsequently motivated to upgrade my (ancient) photos, and wanted to share them here.
More often than not, Pickelhauben that have survived into their second (or third) century have been ravaged by environmental stresses of temperature and humidity; some things dry out and shrink, some rot, some tear, others corrode. On a separate note, many helmets were never made quite right in the first place (Knopf 91 or Rosetten holes asymmetrically placed, Wappen that are either too large or too small per size of helmet, off-center holes for spike base retaining brads/stars, etc.). I have many such helmets in my collection and I value them highly.
Then there is this specimen. It certainly might be considered one in one hundred (given the available 'gene' pool, perhaps one in one thousand). With respect to its construction and the way everything just fits, it has to be the most nearly perfect helmet I own. Hard though I tried, photos simply don't do it justice.
First, my standard 2/3 over the top 'glam' shot.
Straight on:
Mike is quite partial to Garde stars that are 'bombe.' This eagle/star is so front heavy, it's ridiculous. Note the thickness of the angulated wings relative to the eagle's head. If one squints at those chinscales, they almost appear to be a single, tapered piece of brass:
12 o'clock low (the eagle really 'hugs' the surface of the leather):
Interior:
One characteristic of this helmet has been discussed before. Can any of you 'eagle eyes' spot it?
Chas
More often than not, Pickelhauben that have survived into their second (or third) century have been ravaged by environmental stresses of temperature and humidity; some things dry out and shrink, some rot, some tear, others corrode. On a separate note, many helmets were never made quite right in the first place (Knopf 91 or Rosetten holes asymmetrically placed, Wappen that are either too large or too small per size of helmet, off-center holes for spike base retaining brads/stars, etc.). I have many such helmets in my collection and I value them highly.
Then there is this specimen. It certainly might be considered one in one hundred (given the available 'gene' pool, perhaps one in one thousand). With respect to its construction and the way everything just fits, it has to be the most nearly perfect helmet I own. Hard though I tried, photos simply don't do it justice.
First, my standard 2/3 over the top 'glam' shot.
Straight on:
Mike is quite partial to Garde stars that are 'bombe.' This eagle/star is so front heavy, it's ridiculous. Note the thickness of the angulated wings relative to the eagle's head. If one squints at those chinscales, they almost appear to be a single, tapered piece of brass:
12 o'clock low (the eagle really 'hugs' the surface of the leather):
Interior:
One characteristic of this helmet has been discussed before. Can any of you 'eagle eyes' spot it?
Chas
