Original German WWI Bavarian M1886 Reserve Artillery Officer Pickelhaube Helmet with Ball Top Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a traditional German first world war Bavarian Landwehr / Reserve Officer’s brass mounted leather helmet known as a Pickelhaube, set up with a ball (kugel) on the spike, indicating Artillery issue. The M1886 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.

The M1886 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. It also has a correct M1886 unmodified wappen, which still has the branches and Laurel-leaf ornamentation around the Lions, often removed in 1914.

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. Regardless of the unit, officer Pickelhaube share common features such as: the undersides of visors are lined with red and green, larger and more ornate officers kokarden were attached, and “egg & dart” Perlring was utilized around the base of the top spike

This helmet features a correct large model 1886 Landwehr / Reserve wappen (front plate) with the Bavarian coat of arms on a “German Silver” cross, over a bandeau marked with the kingdom’s motto, In Treue Fest, German for “steadfast in loyalty.” The wappen is held in by the correct bolts used on officers models. The convex brass chin scales are in great shape, with complete leather backing front clasp and intact buckle.

It is complete with multi-piece officers 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. The interior of the helmet still retains the leather sweat band as well as the silk 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 very top of the helmet is a bit sunken in, very common if they are unsupported on the interior.

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. It still retains the correct green lining on the underside. The metal spine that descends from the spike’s baseplate to the edge of the rear visor is also in very good condition, while the rear visor does show some damage and loss of the edge trim. It also still retains the red lining underneath. The stitching holding both the front and rear visors is still fully intact, definitely a rarity!

The inside of the liner is marked with Lt. Büscher 5/7 Jnft, so it may have been an infantry reserve helmet, later converted with the top ball to artillery. We may also be mis-reading it and it actually says F. Art., for Feldartillerie. Definitely some nice research potential here!

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