Original German WWI Bavarian M1886/1914 Infantry Officer Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a traditional German first world war Bavarian Officer’s brass mounted leather helmet known as a Pickelhaube, for the Foot-troops (Infantry). The M1886/14 Bavarian Pickelhaube was the final evolution in a long series of spiked helmets, and is very similar to the Prussian version. The M1886 version features a cruciform spike base on ALL helmets, both enlisted and officer. The star retaining pins on the base definitely identify this as an officer.

Like all pickelhauben, it was manufactured from boiled leather, lacquered black, and provided with fittings made of brass or German silver, dependent upon the Regt. The protection it offered was very limited and led to the eventual replacement by a steel helmet in 1916.

This helmet features a brass infantry wappen (front plate) with the Bavarian coat of arms, over the kingdom’s motto, In Treue Fest, German for “steadfast in loyalty.” It is missing the Bavarian (blue and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. For historical context: In 1897 the new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of the helmet, and the state Kokarde was moved to the left, as on this helmet These are retained by the slightly convex officer chin scales, which are secured directly to the helmet.

The top of the helmet has the correct tall fluted spike, which can be unscrewed to mount a parade plume. The spike base underneath have lovely “egg and dart” perlring around it, typical of the officer design.

The interior of the helmet still retains the leather sweatband as well as the skull cap. There is no major damage to either, just the typical and expected wear from use and age. The black leather shell shows expected, but not egregious, crazing and wear. The lacquer finished leather is in nice condition with no serious issues. There is also a level of leather shrinkage due to age, the reason some of the brass fittings are somewhat loose.

The correct square front leather visor has brass trim in very good condition, still tight to the visor, which has some finish crazing as often seen. The metal spine that descends from the spike’s baseplate to the edge of the rear visor is also in very good condition, as is the rear visor. The stitching holding both the front and rear visors is still partly intact, though it is delicate, and has degraded over the years.

Overall a very nice condition Bavarian Infantry Officer pickelhaube, a great addition for any serious collector.