Original German WWI Prussian M1895 Foot Artillery EM/NCO Pickelhaube Helmet – Kugelhelm Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition 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 lovely condition brass Prussian spread eagle helmet plate and comes complete with original leather liner. The helmet retains the correct all brass alloy fittings, and the “ball top” can still unscrew for the addition of a plume if desired.

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. The fittings on this helmet are still mostly in great shape, though the top fitting has had some oxidation, and looks to have been exposed to water or some other oxidizing agent.

It is complete with 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. However, on this helmet they are reversed, with the Reichs-Kokarde on the left. The paint on both is still almost completely intact, with the usual age related fading and checking. The chin strap is leather, but looks to be a replacement, so originally this helmet may have had chin scales.

The helmet’s interior reveals no markings such as size or date. The leather liner is still in good shape, but is missing the top tie, and seems to be around a size 58cm. 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, without the usual sagging that we see. The front and rear visor stitching looks to be fully intact, and hasn’t rotted out as many do. There seems to have been minimal leather shrinkage on this example, and it displays great.

Overall a very appealing Model 1895 Foot Artillery Pickelhaube Kugelhelm, ready to display!