Wuerttemberg EM Model 1871 Private Purchase

SkipperJohn

SkipperJohn

Well-known member
Wuerttemberg was rather slow in adopting the Pickelhaube and didn't begin it's use until 1871. This is a private purchase Model 1871:

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This helmet appears exactly the same as an issue M71 on the outside except for the thin front visor trim:

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Since it is a pre-1897 helmet there is only one Kokarde:

Ac2izJO.jpg


The spike and base are the same as an issue helmet. The Wappen is somewhat more detailed than an issue Wappen but the crown and antlers are not voided. The Wappen is held on with screw fasteners and there are no extra holes:

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The liner is what gives this helmet away as a private purchase:

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It has been mentioned before that the primary purpose of buying ones own helmet was for comfort, not for appearance. This helmet tends to support that. The only real differences between this and an issue helmet are the thin visor trim, thinner leather in the shell, and the liner. No money was wasted on the appearance and no expense was spared on the liner.

John :)
 
Nice helmet, :bravo: I'm no expert off-course,but isn't very unusual for an enlisted man to buy such a helmet? What with expenses and wages at the time? :)
 
coert65 said:
Nice helmet, :bravo: I'm no expert off-course,but isn't very unusual for an enlisted man to buy such a helmet? What with expenses and wages at the time? :)
Click to expand...

Nobody is an expert. Although many people like to think they are :scratch:

It seems (almost) everyone agrees now (finally) that an Eigetumsstück (privately purchased) items were not just purchased by Einjährig-Freiwilliger (one year volunteer) and Fähnrich (officer candidate. Anyone could purchase an Eigetumsstück item for wear off of the garrison. I believe in most cases, these items were worn for coming home on leave and after the mandatory service.

I will stir the pot a bit and suggest that an Eigetumsstück (privately purchased) tunic, cap, Pickelhaube etc. was typically not purchased by the soldier who wore it. Even for young men from a wealthy family, it would be the family who purchased the clothing as a gift. The young soldier did not buy it.

From what I understand, it was common practise for a family even of modest income, to pool their resources together to get their young man an Eigetumsstück tunic for walking out as a gift, and if it was affordable, a Mütze. A family with more wealth, could also afford an Eigentums-helm (Pickelhaube). However, I believe most families if they wanted to buy their soldier a gift, it would be a tunic, as he could always wear the issued Mütze and/or Pickelhaube.

This is of course just conjecture on my part, but the large number remaining examples of zero-rank Eigetumsstück Waffenrock and photos of soldiers wearing them seems to support this theory. Have at me.... :-x
 
I agree 100% Tony. The cost was substantial and often these were gifts. The price depended upon how much you wanted to "add" to your purchase. Your website has great information on this subject here:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/hp/rank.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And Colonel Joe has an excellent article on private purchase here:

http://www.pickelhauben.net/articles/PickelhaubeCost.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John :)
 
Nice helmet!
Tony's theory sounds spot on, especially considering the soldier's pay. I always tried to buy my own dress uniforms and helmets (the two things I liked to upgrade). Also, being an NCO, issued personal clothing wasn't turned back in, so one ended up with a closet full of 'fatigues', 'battle dress uniforms' and 'advanced combat uniforms'.

:D Ron
 
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