This one puts the Pickle in Pickelhaube!

[Greeves]

I'm sure this pickelhaube is from some elite, secretive German unit...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9&category=403

It's even named!

[Tom Y]

During the 20's and 30's Francis Bannerman, military surplus dealer extraordinaire, sold lterally tons of stuff fromm the US Civil War through WWI. His catalog makes you cry. A lot of helmets were bought by circuses and theatrical houses. This one looks like it was probably bought and modified by a circus. The spike is US, circa 1890. The body is most likely the same. The frou-frou was added by whoever.

[Greeves]

Wow...

...so there is a bit of a story to this one. That's really interesting info Tom, thanks!

[ROBB]

I'm sure this pickelhaube is from some elite, secretive German unit...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9&category=403

It's even named!

Excellent find ,gave me a good laugh this morning Rob

[JBFloyd]

Wear this one in public and the society won't be secret any more!

[Brian S]

I've heard Tony and the Kaiser are Circus People. Could be one of theirs

[SteveR]

More than likely this helmet is one from one of the fraternal lodges in the US. The lodges came on strong after the civil war in the late 1800's. They were a form of social activity before radio, TV, etc they always had a female auxillary of some sort. They had secret rituals to perform ie. the odd helmets you see every now and then. Usually they would act out bible stories or other scenarios that had to do with their lodge origins. Groups like The Knights of Phythias, Odd Fellows, Masons, Knights of Columbus, etc. all have lodge swords, uniforms and other types of regalia. They have died out to a certain degree with the exceptions of Masons, Knights of Columbus, etc. Some of them seem quite humorous today but were an important vehicle for socialization in the late 19th century through the 1950's when the older population that supported them started passing away and TV and other modern media started replacing the need for social interaction.
IT ain't a lodge without a hat!!!!
Steve

[landsknechte]

I'm sure this pickelhaube is from some elite, secretive German unit...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9&category=403

It's even named!

I can just see the documentary now: "The Germans may have pioneered the use of camouflage on the modern battlefield, but some of their earlier efforts leave something to be desired.."