spiked helmet as award

[Gilles C.]

Hello fellow collectors,
Has any of you ever seen or heard of such a spiked helmet before?

The bandeau says "Für Auszeichnung vormalig Königl. Schwedischen Leibregt. Königin" . Refers IMO to the former Füsilier-Regt. Königin Viktoria von Schweden (Pommersches) Nr. 34 from Stettin. You will have noticed that the eagle's head and it's crown are missing. Just accidental or a consequence of the postwar Entnobilitierung (removing of crowns and other royal symbols)?

An imaginative collector (or a dealer...) could easily qualify it as a Freikorps award. I am more inclined to favour a more down-to-earth solution like a shooting prize of the Reichswehr. Or is it a late regimental award, just like iron crosses were still awarded after the end of the war?

I'd say it's a postwar creation, but for a wartime or a postwar action?

Who can help?

Regards,
Gilles

[Gilles C.]

[Arran]

Hi Gilles,
What you have there is a helmet worn after 5th December 1865 by the 5th and 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 33, and by Infantry Regiment 34 (excepting the 3rd battalion). I believe the eagle's head has simply broken off rather than been removed for any particular post-war purpose. Hope this info helps!

Cheers,
Arran.

[Gilles C.]

Hi Arran,

Thank you very much for your answer.
Amazing how I have been offside with my theory!
Now, back to the basics with a closer look at my documentation on helmet plates... for sure I should have done it before writing such a fairy tale!

Best regards,
Gilles

[Tony & Kaiser]

But what really matters, is if the rear visor or inside skull is marked JR33 or JR34 (Or alternatively with an "I" instead of a "J"). That is the difference between a rare helmet with an unfortunately ruined plate, and a beater helmet with a equally damaged plate stuck on it. What a shame that the plate is wrecked.

Unfortunately with a Pickelhaube, the plate is the value, so even if the helmet is marked, finding a replacement original plate to go on it will be next to impossible. http://www.kaisersbunker.com