Original German WWI Named Prussian M1895 Artillery Pickelhaube Helmet – Kugelhelm Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of an Imperial Prussian Artillery Enlisted Man’s Mannschaften (other ranks) Pickelhaube (pointed hood). 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 original leather liner, complete with original leather drawstring. The helmet retains the correct all brass alloy fittings, original cockades, and scaled chinstrap.

This helmet features a lovely gold-colored 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. One of the original leather wedges is still intact, holding the wappen in place.

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 scaled chinstrap, mounted with brass hardware, that is original to the helmet. Scaled chinstraps were specific to certain regiments in the Prussian Army.

The leather liner is still in good condition, complete with original drawstring. 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 visor stitching looks to be fully intact, however the rear visor is not (although it is still solidly held in position by the hardware) There seems to have been minimal leather shrinkage on this example, and it displays great. The helmet is roughly a size 56cm.

The helmet features numerous markings on the rear visor, and appears to be dated “1913”. The other unit markings are somewhat illegible. The original owner’s name “VOGEL” is written in Germanic script on the rear visor as well.

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.