Original German WWI Bavarian Model 1896 Line Infantry Enlisted Pickelhaube Helmet Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a traditional German first world war Bavarian Mannschaften (Other Ranks) brass mounted leather helmet known as a Pickelhaube, for the Foot-troops (Infantry). The M1896 Bavarian Pickelhaube was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of spiked helmets, and is very similar to the M1895 Prussian version. The previous M1886 version featured a cruciform spike base on ALL helmets, both enlisted and officer. Bavarian helmets also featured chin scales on all helmets until 1914, even for enlisted men. The helmet also featuers the much smaller M1896 Wappen, which replaced the extremely large Wappen of the M1886.

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 gilt 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 complete with the Bavarian (blue and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. 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 flat brass chin scales, which were correct for all infantry soldiers until 1914.

Interior of the Pickelhaube is in very fine condition, and this example actually has the an officer’s style liner, so it is possible that this helmet was in fact for a Junior Officer, but we cannot find much information regarding helmets being issued as such. It may be a privately purchased helmet for a senior NCO, with some officer appointments on the interior. The liner is complete with the original silk skull cap, though there is definitely deterioration from age and use. The sweatband is the correct doe skin leather, and is retained very well, though the silk has detached from the age in areas. The silk is split in places, though still looks good, with a nice cream color.

The black leather shell shows normal age crazing and wear. The lacquer finished leather is in very good condition having no serious issues. There is also definitely some level of leather shrinkage due to age, which is why the some fittings are somewhat loose.

The front leather visor has brass trim in very good condition, still tight to the visor, which has some finish “melting” 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 intact, something we rarely see! It is almost always rotted out.

Overall a very nice condition Bavarian Infantry pickelhaube, a great addition to any collection.