Prussian Zahlmeister

[Steve Nick]

Another piece I couldn’t resist buying at the Ottawa Militaria Show yesterday is this helmet which was incorrectly offered by the vendor as a Prussian Reservist helmet. Although it has a significant issue, being the lack of a rear visor and spine, the cost of the parts by far exceeded the price I had to pay.

My first impulse was to give it a pass because of the missing rear visor but seeing a couple of other people deliberating I took the first opportunity to swoop in and buy it because the value of the parts make it a pretty low risk purchase and I didn't want to be kicking myself later for having missed it.

It was missing the Prussian Kokarde which I’ve corrected with one from the “parts drawer”. I also had to install three star studs on the cruciform base from the “parts drawer”. Still looking to source the correct period tin washers so I used standard commercial washers in the short term.

So, the obvious next step is to find an officers’ rear visor and then a rear spine that will fit. A tall order undoubtedly but, one that justifies the effort in my view. When cleaned up it could be quite a nice helmet.

 

[John Josef]

Congratulations on your purchase I wish you well in the restoration project.

I'm at the point were no matter how tempting they look I just can't take any more adventures into the project helm blackhole. I have only the best intensions, but they just never seem to get completed .

 

[Steve Nick]

Congratulations on your purchase I wish you well in the restoration project.

I'm at the point were no matter how tempting they look I just can't take any more adventures into the project helm blackhole. I have only the best intensions, but they just never seem to get completed .

Thanks for your comment.

Well, if the rear visor thing doesn't work out, the parts can be sold easily enough.

 

[Naprawiacz]

Steve, that was a great buy, congratulations! However, this item was intended for a doctor, inspector of military bands, etc. All the Zahlmeister promotion ranks in the picture.

 

[Steve Nick]

Steve, that was a great buy, congratulations! However, this item was intended for a doctor, inspector of military bands, etc. All the Zahlmeister promotion ranks in the picture.

Wojtek:

Thanks for your input. I must have thought Zahlmeister, based on the eagles' form and missing the fact that there is significance to the colour of the eagle.

So, a silver eagle on brass/gilt helmet fittings is Doctor, Inspector etc. ?

I wasn't aware of that. Once again, the value of posting to this forum proves itself!

 

[Naprawiacz]

Yes Steve. Someone posted a whole list of all official clerical helmets on the forum, but I don't remember where it is. I'll try to find the list. https://www.pickelhaubes.com/xf/threads/helmadler-fuer-die-pickelhaube-eines-militaer-beamten.16071/

 

[Naprawiacz]

Glennj list https://www.pickelhaubes.com/xf/threads/prussian-militaer-beamte-officer-pickelhaube-m1915.17777/

 

[Steve Nick]

Glennj list https://www.pickelhaubes.com/xf/threads/prussian-militaer-beamte-officer-pickelhaube-m1915.17777/

Wojtek:

Thanks very much for pointing me to that list provided by Glenn. It's very helpful.

 

[Steve Nick]

Another question related to this helmet is:

It has a "screw off" spike. I know that one can't conclude that because of this the owner was entitled to wear a parade bush.

But, was a Beamte Doctor entitled to wear a parade bush and f so what colour and material?

 

[Naprawiacz]

Steve I have only one pickelhaube of a veterinarian or medical doctor.Interestingly, prior to 1872, the veterinarians Stabsroßarzt and Roßarzt-namely the Staff Surgeon and the Grand Surgeon-were wearing kugelhelm.My helmet is dated within 1910.

 

[Glennj]

But, was a Beamte Doctor entitled to wear a parade bush and f so what colour and material?

Two points Steve,

a medical officer officer was not an Official (since 1873)

The ONLY officials entitled to a parade plume were those very senior officials with the equivalence of general officers' rank, for example the Militär-Intendant with the title of a Wirklicher Geheimer Kriegsrat with the rank of a counsellor 1st class and the Wirklicher Geheimer Kriegsrat with the rank of a counsellor 1st class in the war ministry. Additionally, the Senatspräsident of the Reichsmilitärgericht also wore the black and white cockerel plume of the general officer as those listed above.

Regards
Glenn

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Another question related to this helmet is:Il y a une pointe "à visser". Je sais que l'on ne peut pas en conclure que le propriétaire avait le droit de porter un buisson de parade pour cette raison.

Indeed, removable tips can be found on the helmets of non-Haarbusch regimental officers. This was simply to make it easier to place the helmet in the carrying case, as officers' helmets before the war were disproportionately high.

 

[Steve Nick]

Two points Steve,

a medical officer officer was not an Official (since 1873)

The ONLY officials entitled to a parade plume were those very senior officials with the equivalence of general officers' rank, for example the Militär-Intendant with the title of a Wirklicher Geheimer Kriegsrat with the rank of a counsellor 1st class and the Wirklicher Geheimer Kriegsrat with the rank of a counsellor 1st class in the war ministry. Additionally, the Senatspräsident of the Reichsmilitärgericht also wore the black and white cockerel plume of the general officer as those listed above.

Regards
Glenn

Thanks for the clarification Glenn.