Original German WWI Kingdom of Württemberg Dragoon Officer’s M1897 Pickelhaube – Post War Repainted Cruciform Spikebase and Spike Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good condition smart-looking, officer pickelhaube from a Württemberg Dragoner (Dragoon) Mounted Infantry Regiment officer, as indicated by the “Squared” front visor and Cruciform Spike support. The helmet was most likely used during World War One, but unfortunately the Cruciform Spike base and spike were repainted some time after the war, and the Kokarden were replaced as well.

The Pickelhaube of commissioned officers holding a rank from Lieutenant to Colonel are all identical in features, but not quality. The quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wished to spend. A lowly Lieutenant’s helmet may be of much higher quality than one worn by a Colonel. As expected, officer helmets were of a much higher quality than the issued version and utilized the “squared finger” liners until 1880, when the internal leather sweatband and silk skull-cap came into use.

Regardless of the unit, officer Pickelhaube share common features such as: the undersides of visors are lined, Officer Kokarden are carried, and the “egg & dart” Perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and chinscales were worn. The officer’s Pickelhaube was basically unchanged from 1871 to 1899 when it had a more domed shape, and from 1899 to the end it had more of a skull shape. Otherwise, with the exception of the addition of the Reich’s Kokarde in 1897, the officer’s Haube was mostly the same from 1871 to 1918. As with most pickelhaube, they are made from boiled leather, which is then lacquered black.

The overall condition of this officer’s pickelhaube is very good. Almost all of the helmet’s furniture is highly-detailed “German Silver” nickel alloy, though over the years after the war, they were painted a gold color to mask the oxidation that would’ve been present.

The front wappen features the Coat of Arms of Württemberg, with a shield in the center showing three antlers that represent Württemberg on the left side, and the three lions of medieval Swabia on the right side. There is a wreath surrounding it made of Laurels on the right and Oak Leaves on the left. The Crowned Lion of Swabia supports the shield to the left, and the Stag of Württemberg supports it on the right. On a banner at the bottom is the motto of the kingdom: FURCHTLOS UND TREW (“Fearless and loyal”). The wappen is held in place by the standard correct bolts used on officer’s models.

It is complete with the German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. There is not a Württemberg kokarden present.  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 Attached chin strap is complete, but the leather is very shrunken and dry, definitely in a somewhat delicate condition.

The helmet’s interior reveals no depot marks on the back visor. It is approximately a size 7 1/8 US (57cm). The lacquer finished leather is in great condition having no serious issues, just the usual light cracking in areas. The shape of this pickelhaube is unfortunately slightly sunken in, probably due to long term weight on the spike, something that we see quite often. There is also definitely some level of leather shrinkage due to age, which is why some fittings are somewhat loose.

The inside liner is still present, but “simplified” and definitely shows wear. There appears to have never been a silk lining on the inside. The leather portion of the liner is nice and supple, with some staining.

Overall a very appealing Model 1897 Dragoon Pickelhaube helmet, ready to display!

The Kingdom of Württemberg was a German state that existed from 1805 to 1918, located within the area that is now Baden-Württemberg. The kingdom was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which existed from 1495 to 1805. Prior to 1495, Württemberg was a county in the former Duchy of Swabia, which had dissolved after the death of Duke Conradin in 1268.

The kingdom had borders with Bavaria on the east and south, with Baden in the north, west, and south. The southern part surrounded the Prussian province of Hohenzollern on most of its sides and touched on Lake Constance.