Pickelhaube authenticity

[A_Pomeranian]

Hello, I am in talks with someone regarding the purchase of my first ever pickelhaube. The price is satisfactory, and the seller seems genuine. What puts me off about this example is the eagle. I can't seem to figure out which formation it belongs to. It also seems to me that the helmet underwent a restoration, judging by the colour of the metal parts, and the leather. Pictures seen below were provided by the seller. Any help would be highly appreciated.

 

[Naprawiacz]

The item has not been renovated. The only thing I don't like is the added star. The pickelhaube of a doctor or vet.

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

As said, the additional Garde star should not be present, and if it has been inserted into Eagle in any way, it would hurt the value.
This helmet is of a Veterinarian and is pre 1912 I believe due to the lack of the small Adler. It is a high official due to the star split pins.
These Military Official helmets are very one-off and hard to pin down as one thing or the other, but your helmet seems to be in line, and would do nicely as a first piece. These Militär Beamte helmets, (for more Info) were for effectively non-military positions serving for the German army, as said, Doctors, Vets, pharmacists, paymasters, apothecarists etc.

 

[b.loree]

Totally agree with all of the above, the only thing that I would mention is the lack of the usual Mit Gott Fur Koenig etc ribbon or "bandeau" on the helmet plate. This is the biggest "tell" as to why this is a beamte or military official helmet. All Prussian military helmets have this bandeau motto on the helmet plate except for reservist or landwehr officer/soldat. However, even these helmets have the motto on the cross affixed to their eagles. As has been mentioned, the characteristics of Beamte helmets are very confusing for most collectors ie...trying to precisely identify the "official" and his rank.

 

[A_Pomeranian]

Thank you all for your help, if it weren't for your expertise I doubt that I would be able to pin the helmet's origins down. I will be sure to pick it up tomorrow.

 

[KAGGR#1]

I would give it a no buy vote
but that is up to you
all of the stated above is correct
Steve

 

[b.loree]

The issue with these helmets for many collectors is that these officials were non combatants. Most of us want helmets from legitimate fighting units of the Imperial Army. On the other hand, all armies have administrative units and although Canadian, I would say the US JAG organization might be a modern example.

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

The issue with these helmets for many collectors is that these officials were non combatants.

I had the chance at one and passed it up for this reason. That does not mean I wouldn't like to have one in the future, it just was not ideal for my "big purchase" witch of course was that Silver Garde Enlisted that I posted about.

 

[giorgio]

Really interesting thread.....thanks for sharing and for explanations ...
Giorgio

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

I guess I am one of the weird ones, I like the Beamte helmets and collect them, however, like others have said, I would pass on this one!

James