Need Help with Pickelhaube

[Randy Flieger]

I need help identifying this Pickelhaube (and perhaps year of issue). It was brought back buy a good friends relative (sometime around the end of WWI). Yes, It is in VERY rough condition and missing chin strap, but I would like to know more about it. Thanks for looking. Randy
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[timp_be]

Hello.

Are the fittings in iron or painted brass?

Best regards

timp_be

[Randy Flieger]

The star shaped fittings on top? In better lighting, they definitely appear to be a shade of brass color. thanks, Randy

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[Randy Flieger]

Here is another photo. Randy
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[ww1czechlegion]

Helmet wasn't "issued", it was privately purchased because it is a Prussian Officer's helmet. All officers had to purchase their helmets.

Looks like it's a wartime made example with zinc metal fittings, and all the gilt wash has lifted off the zinc fittings. We sometimes see this happen with wartime fittings on helmets.

Is the leather or calfskin sweatband intact inside the helmet, and the silk headliner also intact inside the helmet?

Helmet does not appear to be in what I would call "rough" condition. It's just that the chin scales have been broken off at some point of time, and the gold wash on the fittings has lifted off the zinc fittings. The helmet body appears to be in sound condition with good form. And the metal fittings are in good shape with the exception of most of the gold wash is gone from the fittings. It's a decent Prussian Officer Helmet, probably from circa 1915-1916.

Best Regards,

Alan

[ww1czechlegion]

Looks like the forum is having issues at the moment.

I was trying to add "The helmet does not look to be in "rough" shape as you are saying. The main 2-problems are that the chin scales have broken off near their attachment points on the sides of the helmet. And the gold wash has lifted off the zinc metal fittings of the helmet. The shape of the helmet looks to be in sound condition.

[Randy Flieger]

Thank you for the help! Here is a photo of the liner and sweatband. Take care, Randy

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[ROBB]

That’s the worse case of gilt falling off I have seen the fittings all look grey! Nice helmet though . Rob

[John3RD]

What do the cockades look like on the sides? I will go out on a limb and say it is a private purchase by a Senior NCO.

[ww1czechlegion]

I will go out on a limb and say it is a private purchase by a Senior NCO.

It's a full officer helmet, not a senior nco.

All of the fittings on this helmet are officer grade rank status. There are no enlisted style fittings on this helmet. I can see the kokardes on the side, and they are full officer style kokardes.

Here are 2-different links to very scholarly and correct information on NCO helmets, and on One Year Volunteer helmets, both written by a highly respected collector and author that will clear up any current confusion: http://pickelhauben.net/nco-helmets/ and http://pickelhauben.net/one-year-volunteer-oyv/

Best Regards,

Alan