Original German WWI Bavarian Model 1886 Infantry Officer Pickelhaube – With 1941 Dated Newspaper Used For Padding Behind Sweatband Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The earliest of the Bavarian pickelhaube models, this is a genuine model 1886/87 officer’s Pickelhaube from a line-Infantry Regiment. The helmet’s typical leather body is in overall very fine condition with some crazing, without any major dents, or imperfections; metal fittings (cruciform, chin scales, wappen, spike) are all brass exhibiting minor wear without any major issues and a wonderful patina.

The Bayern Pickelhaube model 1886 was first worn by Bayern officers on 01 April 1887. The Infantry, Jäger, and Artillery Mannschaften (Other Ranks) were gradually equipped with the Pickelhaube from 1887 to 1890. The helmet features a large Bayern Wappen (front plate), the spike is fluted and secured onto the helmet with a cruciform spike base, and the front visor is squared.

The Bayern Pickelhaube M1886 Wappen (front plate) features leaves intertwined in the legs of the lions. The M1886 Bayern Wappen is enormous, and is by far the largest of all Imperial German helmet Wappen. This example is excellent and has the correct Bavarian coat of arms, over the kingdom’s motto, In Treue Fest, German for “steadfast in loyalty.”

Pickelhaube has a wonderful correct Bavarian blue and white kokarden (cockade) on the left side, with the red and black Imperial German cockade. The rear neck guard is loose at the seam on both sides and is almost completely detached. The cruciform spike base complete but loose.

The interior of the Pickelhaube is in excellent condition. It has a correct brown leather sweatband that is entirely intact but is missing the silk liner. The most interesting feature of the interior is folded newspaper clippings and propaganda clippings used as extra padding behind the sweatband. All the metal hardware securing metal fittings are present and period.

Overall a very nice early model Bavarian officers Pickelhaube in fine condition.