Pickelhaube M15 ORs - loose fitting of spike

R

Rhys

New member
I have just bought my first pickelhaube. Before buying, I took all the advice on this site. Is the helmet entirely genuine? I know there are lots of reproductions of cockades and chinstraps. In particular, the spike is not a tight fit. This seems odd given the usual German military thoroughness. What is the advice experienced collectors can give to me as a beginner? Thanks, Rhys. PS this is my second submission and I hope the photos are better this time.
 

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Hi Rhys,
Nice helmet! Imo the chinstrap is a replica, but the rest is original.
If the spike has the same colour as the disc they most likely belong together, otherwise the spike comes from a different helmet. As these helmets were used without the spike in the field, and the spikes left behind, this is very common. These spikes typically don’t have a weapons grade tight fit :)
Regards,
Lars
 
Lars13 said:
Hi Rhys,
Nice helmet! Imo the chinstrap is a replica, but the rest is original.
If the spike has the same colour as the disc they most likely belong together, otherwise the spike comes from a different helmet. As these helmets were used without the spike in the field, and the spikes left behind, this is very common. These spikes typically don’t have a weapons grade tight fit :)
Regards,
Lars
Click to expand...
Thanks Lars. Very helpful reply. The spike is matching the disc in colour (hooray!). I'm very pleased by my auction purchase with a hammer price of £340. Could you clarify why you think the chinstrap is a replica? I'm sure you're right, but I'd like to know what to watch out for in the future. Regards, Rhys
 
Rhys said:
Could you clarify why you think the chinstrap is a replica?
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Hi Rhys,
I think you did very well in the auction :)
My assessment was based on the unfinished look of the sliders (especially the sides on the 1st picture) and the unfinished look of the eyelets (sharp metal edges on 2nd & 3rd pictures). I had a look at my own M15 chinstraps and they looked a bit more finished, but the eyelets also showed some sharp metal edges like the eyelets on your helmet. In addition the leather and the stitching look ok, so I could easily be wrong.
Regards,
Lars
 
Rhys,
Welcome to the forum. Your pickelhaube looks like it saw extensive service. It seems to have had some repairs during its service bacsed on the reforcement of the liner in picture 6. Was the reforcement shown glued on to the three tongs in the picture. Anyway, it gives the look or impression of having been there and back.
Best regards,
John
 
Lars13 said:
Hi Rhys,
I think you did very well in the auction :)
My assessment was based on the unfinished look of the sliders (especially the sides on the 1st picture) and the unfinished look of the eyelets (sharp metal edges on 2nd & 3rd pictures). I had a look at my own M15 chinstraps and they looked a bit more finished, but the eyelets also showed some sharp metal edges like the eyelets on your helmet. In addition the leather and the stitching look ok, so I could easily be wrong.
Regards,
Lars
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Hi Lars,
Thanks for sharing your expertise with me. I'm tremendously pleased to have this pickelhaube.
Regards,
Rhys
 
I have one question for those who have handled a lot more pickelhaube also known as Subject Matter Experts SMEs. The eagle or adler looks a little off to me. The UR in FUR and KO in KOENIG are not as sharp as the other lettering. Is this due to the die for the adler being worn due to war time mass production? :unsure:
Thank you in advance
John
I still very much like the helmet:)
 
b.loree said:
Yes this is what you are seeing, a wappen stamping from a worn out die. Some M15’s have great pre war details but many others like yours do not.
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Thanks for confirming what I thought was the reason for the blured stamping. The wappen and the rest of the parts indicate that they have always been together.:cool:
 
Looking closely at fitting patina/colour is the best way to buy any M15. Replacement parts like a spike top are usually glaringly obvious.
 
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