Prussian Fusilier Model 1857/60

[SkipperJohn]

This is one of my favorites --- and one of my best.
A Prussian Model 1857/60:

The Wappen is stamped of heavy gauge brass and incorporates the "Mit Gott Für Koenig und Vaterland" bandeau. It resembles the earlier Model 1842 Wappen except for the stamped in bandeau. Earlier Wappens were modified to conform to regulations by soldering on the bandeau.

The helmet stands tall on the massive front visor and rear neck guard. The overall height of this helmet is 10.5 inches when measured on a flat surface:

The rear spine has the standard two brads:

The Prussian Kokarde sits proudly on the right side of the helmet:

This Kokarde appears, at first, to be made of leather:

But a closer inspection reveals that it is made of pressed and painted wool:

Pressed and painted wool (like heavy felt) was used on models prior to 1857, so this is likely a "left-over" part from an earlier model:

The liner is in excellent condition:

The vent on the spike still turns:

This Pickelhaube was manufactured by "JB Dotti" and that is stamped on the front visor trim:

This helmet is stamped "MFR 36"; Füsilier-Regiment. General-Feldmarschall Graf Blumenthal (1.Magdeburgisches) Nr.36
(Halle, Bernburg) IV Armee Korps. This Regiment was formed on 13 December 1815:

This Pickelhaube would have likely seen action in the Second Schleswig War (1864), The Austro-Prussian War (1866), and the Franco-Prussian War (1870/71).

John

 

[Sandmann]

A wonderfull Helmet. Thank you for sharing and your nice explanation..really cool :bravo:

 

[badener]

I love it!

 

[pickelhauben]

Very nice oldie !!

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

What an absolutely magnificent helmet! It is very uncommon to find a M1860 Wappen with the 1860 Bandeau as part of the stamping. Unmistakable with those tail feathers and solid area between winged and legs. A modified M1860 Wappen with the soldered-on Bandeau as mentioned is the norm. Again, fantastic Pickelhaube :thumbright:

 

[edwin]

Awesome helmet!

Regards,

Edwin

 

[LangeKerl]

That is a great Pickelhaube!

 

[b.loree]

Textbook example and museum quality, congrats on a beautiful helmet! Plus, I learned about an older style kokarde that I did not know existed. Perhaps when you have the time John you could do us a favour and add your kokarde pics to a post in our kokarden section.

 

[stuka f]

Very nice!

 

[SkipperJohn]

Thank you for your kind comments!
Here is some historical information concerning MFR 36:

Initially the Prussian Füsiliers were organized as independent companies or battalions, but in 1860 the line infantry regiments 33-40 were given the title of Füsilier Regiments.

The Füsilier-Regt (1.Magdeburgisches) Nr.36 was formed on 13th December 1815, and by 1820 was known as the 36. Infanterie-Regiment. The Regiment became the Magdeburgisches Füsilier-Regiment Nr. 36 in 1860.

MFR 36 did not see combat action in the Second Schleswig War; however, in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the regiment fought the Austrians and their South German allies between the Main and Tauber rivers at Uettingen and Rossbrunn, in the vicinity of Würzburg:

On September 20, 1866 the Regiment was awarded the Memorial Cross of the Main Army 1866 by King Wilhelm I (Sort of a campaign medal issued to all who served in the Army of the Main):

In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 the regiment fought at the Battle of Gravelotte-St.Privat and the Siege of Metz. They were awarded the Kriegsdenkmünze für Kämpfer 1870/1871 on May 20, 1871 by King and Emperor Wilhelm I (Again, a campaign medal for the Franco-Prussian War):

In 1900 the Regiment took the title Füsilier-Regt. General-Feldmarschall Graf Blumenthal (1.Magdeburgisches) Nr.36 after Leonhard Graf von Blumenthal, the Prussian General of the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars, who had died earlier that year.

In 1914 they were garrisoned at Halle with the II Battalion at Bernburg as part of the IV Army Corps. During the First World War they served on the Western Front notably at the Battles of the Somme and Cambrai.

The Regiment’s uniform was the Prussian Dunkelblau Waffenrock with red Brandenburg style cuffs, a red collar, and yellow metal (gilt) buttons. The shoulder straps were red with a yellow “36”. The Pickelhaube Wappen was the Prussian Line Eagle and they were not authorized to wear a parade plume.

John