Purchasing my first Pickelhaube

[Bartimaerus]

Hello guys,

first of all I dont know a lot about Pickelhauben despite being german and Im also more of a WWII collector.
I usually hate being lazy and asking instead of doing my research, but the offer is time limited, since the seller is moving away soon, so im sorry for not doing my part here.

Ive been offered this Pickelhaube from a legit WWI prussian soldiers inheritance, so the paperwork surrounding it checks out.

One of the cockades is missing and the other one looks like a cheap homemade fake.

Also the liner looks way too clean to be period accurate Id say, but thats why im asking for your opinion on this piece. Ive been offered to buy it for 400 Euro, but I dont know if this price is fair since I think someone tried to restore it.

He also has a bavarian example for sale which I might share later.

Thanks in advance for your insight gentlemen!

 

[Sandmann]

Welcome to the forum
The helmet looks mostly original. The cockade and the chin strap are reproductions. The liner could be original, but I'm not entirely sure about that.
However, the helmet is in poor condition and would need to be restored. On the photos it looks as if the rear visor is only held in place by the rear spine. I would therefore not recommend buying it...sorry.

 

[Grabenmaxx]

I would keep away from this one as well. It's just a regular prussian Haube without any markings, missing parts, repro parts and indeed a loose rear visor.

 

[Lars13]

Welcome to the forum,

I agree with Sandy's assessment. Strangely enough, the value of a standard Pickelhaube like this one comes mainly from the Wappen (around 80 euro these days), Kokarden (easily 130 euro for a Prussian pair), and the chinstrap (around 250 euro). The actual shell with spike is only worth around 150-200 euro. This shell in poor condition, and greased on the inside with loose visor is probably worth less.

I would advise to wait for a better opportunity, and for a couple hundred more buy a proper, complete, and original Pickelhaube.

Regards,
Lars

 

[Bartimaerus]

Thanks for the fast and helpful replies guys! Ill stay clear of this prussian example then. I didnt think the Kokarden would be that expensive. The chinstrap I can believe tho seeing as how expensive WWII german chinstraps are in nice condition.

 

[Bartimaerus]

The second one he has is a bavarian silver plated example in a nicer condition with the Kokarden. Hes waiting for offers on this one.
It even has the regiment stamp still inked inside, which I was told was often removed in the field so if captured wouldnt tell the enemy which regiment was stationed where (not that you wouldnt know that already oh wise ones)

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Hey! I'm glad to see you were able to find the forum! The r/militariacollecting subreddit isn't really the best place to ask for advice on pickelhauben (several months ago they were gawking at an Indian made lobster tail helmet), so I always try to redirect people to this forum. If you have any more questions, make sure to stop here first!

 

[Bartimaerus]

Hey! I'm glad to see you were able to find the forum! The r/militariacollecting subreddit isn't really the best place to ask for advice on pickelhauben (several months ago they were gawking at an Indian made lobster tail helmet), so I always try to redirect people to this forum. If you have any more questions, make sure to stop here first!

Yeah, thanks for the info about this forum again! Im always eager to learn. Any books on the topic of Pickelhauben you would recommend?

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Yeah, thanks for the info about this forum again! Im always eager to learn. Any books on the topic of Pickelhauben you would recommend?

Jean Louis Larcade’s “Casques A Pointe” books are very good, I’d definitely recommend those! I’m sure other members can recommend their favorites as well.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Hello,
Forget the first one, 150€ no more, for the reasons given by Lars and others.
The Bavarian is better. The nickel silver fittings show a Leib-Regiment, or a Bavarian Pionier-Regiment. The chinstrap is a reproduction. The roundels look correct.(Reichskokarde in painted steel, Landkokarde in nickel silver, blue painted rim). However, the regiment number does not correspond to the nickel silver fittings but to the brass fittings. It is the 23rd Bavarian Infantry Regiment. Perhaps an assembly/recycling, in the urgency of the mobilisation: €600.

 

[Bobted]

Chinstrap and cockades look repo. A bit shiny! Rob

 

[KAGGR#1]

I think that Bavarian I R 23 should be brass trim , not silver .
You will have a hard time trying to explain that when you
decide to move it .
Steve

 

[Sandmann]

Yeah, thanks for the info about this forum again! Im always eager to learn. Any books on the topic of Pickelhauben you would recommend?

Here you‘ll find a recommendation of good books about Pickelhauben:

Imperial German Helmet and uniform reference books

I thought I would share some info and pictures of Imperial German helmet and uniform books for reference. Been collecting for a long time and accumulated a lot of books on the subject, these are not all I have but most. Some are much better then others and many cost a lot of money, but can...

www.pickelhaubes.com

Helpful books for spiked helmet collectors

historien-kabinett.de

 

[b.loree]

Bart: Welcome, we have a recommended reference books section here on the forum. Go to the main page and scroll down. In addition, the best reference website in English is Kaiser's Bunker created and owned by our member Tony Schnurr. There is a huge amount of information there, check it out.