Original German WWI Prussian M1895 Artillery Pickelhaube Helmet Dated 1916 with Depot Marking – Kugelhelm Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Imperial Prussian Artillery enlisted man’s Mannschaften (other ranks) pickelhaube, just recently found at a large military show! On this version of the Pickelhaube, a ball representing a cannon ball replaced the usual spike, leading this to be referred to as an Artillerie Kugelhelm (Artillery Ball-Top Helm). The M1895 was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of pickelhaube helmets. It displays a lovely condition brass Prussian spread eagle helmet plate and comes complete with partial original leather liner, chinstrap, and both the Prussian and National Cockades! The helmet retains the correct all brass alloy fittings, which still show some of the original gilding.

This helmet features a lovely alloy frontplate (wappen) with the Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown, over the King’s motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The Preußen issued Wappen in 1895 were intended to be made out of Tombak (an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc) but it seems that the copper-color was unpopular and they were soon replaced with Aluminiumbronze which has a very bright brass appearance. It still retains the left loop with a leather wedge through it, however the right side loop has broken off.

It is complete with original cockades. The Prussian (black 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.

The cockades are secured by the means of the original unbroken chinstrap, mounted with brass hardware, that is original to the helmet. Intact original chinstraps are a true rarity on these helmets! It has suffered a lot of finish loss over the years, but it was definitely originally once black like the rest of the helmet.

The leather liner is still in good shape, but is missing the top leather tie, and the inside bowl of the helmet is marked with a very small 54 size marking. The lacquer finished leather is in good condition, with the usual age cracking and some areas of finish loss. The shape of this pickelhaube is preserved excellently, and has a pleasant overall “rested” patina. The front and rear visor stitching is fully intact, and hasn’t rotted out as many do. The rear visor has the correct vent hole on the support, which still has a movable sliding cover. There seems to have been minimal leather shrinkage on this example, and it displays great.

The underside of the rear visor was marked and dated by the issuing depot: B.A. XVI. / 1916. It does not look to have seen much wear during the war, probably explained by how late it was issued, right as the transition to much more protective steel helmets was being made.

Ready to display!

The Pickelhaube-
Germany’s Pickelhaube helmet, distinguished by a lone spike jutting straight from its top, became a symbol of Prussian militarism in the early 20th century. Introduced by the Prussian military in 1843, the Pickelhaube was originally proposed for use by cavalry troops. The helmets, made of pressed leather, were developed as an updated solution to the conical shako hats worn by Prussians during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleonic-era shakos offered virtually no head protection and were cumbersome to wear in wet conditions, as they easily soaked up rain. The Pickelhaube, therefore, was greeted as a practical modern invention. The new “leather helmets” or “helmets with spikes” gave soldiers’ greater head covering and visibility.

The distinctive spike on the Pickelhaube was supposed to function as a blade tip. It was designed to deflect sword blows aimed at the head. The spikes could be modified depending on soldiers’ battlefield duties and outfitted with plumes on formal occasions.

Use of the helmet became widespread throughout Germany and was even adopted by regional police forces and fire brigades. The helmet was often greeted with sarcasm and mockery, even within Germany. In 1843, the famous German poet, Heinrich Heine, wrote and published a satiric poem, “Germany: A Winter’s Tale,” in the poem, Heine compared the Pickelhaube to a lightning rod:

“Yes, yes, I like the helmet, it demonstrates the loftiest wit!
A kingly inspiration, it was! Complete with a point and tip!
I’m just afraid a storm will come and only too easily hit,
That romantic crown of yours with a fancy lightning blitz!”

The Pickelhaube became a symbol of Prussian aggressiveness and battle prowess. An imperial proclamation in 1871 made the Pickelhaube mandatory for all German troops. Proud Prussian military leaders with bristling mustaches posed for publicity photos sporting the Pickelhaube, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, Otto von Bismarck, and Paul von Hindenburg. In other countries, the horned helmets became synonymous with barbarism, especially during World War I.