Original German WWI Prussian M1895 Line Infantry/Pionier Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet, Complete, in Excellent, Untouched, Condition Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an outstanding condition 1916 dated Imperial German M-1895 Prussian Enlisted Man’s/ Non-Commissioned Officer’s Mannschaften (other ranks) pickelhaube. This is an absolutely beautiful untouched specimen, and one of the finest examples we have had the pleasure of offering!

The M1895 was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of spiked helmets. It displays lovely condition with German Silver fittings and Wappen (Prussian spread eagle helmet plate) and comes complete with supple original leather liner and Original Chinstrap. . The spike on top denotes infantry issue and retains correct silver chinstrap lugs, cockades, and chin strap. Pickelhaubes with German Silver fittings and Wappen were worn by Line Infantry Units (dependent upon regiment), and Pionier (Engineer) units.

This helmet features a lovely German Silver 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 crown of this leather helmet displays a vented spike mount on a baseplate. The spike is in excellent condition and does rotate to be removed. It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) 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.

To improve ventilation, on the Model 1895 issued Pickelhaube the rear spine on helmets worn by Foot Troops was equipped with a vent near the base of the spike which was fitted with a small sliding cover. This sliding cover allowed the user to increase or decrease the flow of ventilation in the helmet according to the weather conditions. This sliding vent appears to have been only utilized on Infantry helmets. Artillery and other troops did not adopt this feature until some time in 1914. The cover on this example is intact, and slides easily. The spike remained the same as the Model 1887 and the Model 1891, however, the rotating neck was removed.

This Helmet features an early style Wappen with the early style attaching method, that being the soldered bolt and nut system used to secure the front Wappen onto the helmet was changed to a system for retaining Wappen on the front of helmets that had been used as far back as 1845 for Bayern (Bavarian) helmets and 1867 for Sachsen (Saxon) helmets.

The lacquer finished leather is in very good condition having no serious issues, just the usual slight cracking and finish crazing due to age. The interior features a nice original leather liner, which is still soft to touch. There is a 1916 date stamp inside the crown, along with an illegible unit marking inside the rear visor. The chin strap is fully intact, and in great shape, with just a bit of verdigris around the fittings. All markings are nicely tight and show no signs of being added or modified.

Overall, this is an exceptional condition Imperial Prussian pickelhaube, a great addition to any collection!