Original German WWI Prussian Landwehr Dragoon Officer M1897 Pickelhaube Helmet with Musician’s “Trichter” Parade Plume Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good condition “smart-looking”, officer pickelhaube from a Prussian Dragoner (Dragoon) Mounted Landwehr Infantry Regiment, as indicated by the “Squared” front visor and Cruciform Spike support. The helmet was most likely used during World War One.

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 chin scales 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 pickelhauben, 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 gilt brass nickel alloy, though over the years it has oxidized slightly, and the brass has taken on a nice patina.

This helmet features a brass alloy frontplate (wappen), with a silver landwehr Iron Cross fitted into a recess in the chest of the eagle. There is also the small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets. All fittings on the helmet are matching brass.

The front wappen features Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown. There is a large “Iron Cross” emblem on the breast of the eagle, which is marked in very small text with the Kingdom of Prussia’s Motto:

mit Gott
Für König
und Vaterland
1813

This translates to “With God for King and Country,” i.e. Prussia, over the year 1813, when King Frederick William III of Prussia established the Iron Cross award. It is held in place by the correct square bolts.

Both kokarden (cockades) are present, and are of high-end two piece construction, with detailed casting. In 1897 a 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 paint on both is still almost completely intact, and they look great.

The officer spike atop the helmet is intricately decorated at the base with the usual “egg and dart” motif. The top of the spike screws off, revealing the fitting for a parade plume which is actually attached.

Plumes came in three colors: red, white and black the same colors as a national flag. These were not standard throughout however, as in general the first two battalions of guard regiments wore white plumes and the third battalion black plumes. Red was reserved for musicians, but also for certain Bavarian artillery. The general rule of thumb was that white was more elite.

Additionally, this pickelhaube has the old-style cruciform spike base, which after 1860 was still used ONLY by the Prussian Dragoon regiments. All other Prussian groups moved to a round base. This base still retains all 4 of the brass stars.

The shape of this pickelhaube is unfortunately a bit squashed, 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, complete with the original beige colored silk skull cap, which is in worn condition, though it does have some splits, tears and definitely shows wear. The leather portion of the liner is nice and supple, with some staining and cracking. It is in worn condition, but these are exceedingly rare in any condition.

Overall a very appealing Model 1897 Landwehr Dragoon Pickelhaube helmet, complete with original helmet cover, ready to display!