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Prussian 1871 Reservist EM Pickelhaube

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    Prussian 1871 Reservist EM Pickelhaube

    Picked this helmet up some years ago and have done some extensive research on it. There are many looming questions however, despite my findings. I figured I would present her to the forum for review.

    Lets start with the helmets body. It’s a model 1871 and in rather good condition I would say with tight stitching, a smooth finish, and no warping. What throws me off guard are two things: (1) the lack of a ventilation hole in the crown of the leather as well as (2) two smaller holes directly behind the Wappen. Both of these make me lean toward the logic that this helmet may have begun its life in the service of something other than the Kaiser. (Perhaps the fire service?) However the beginnings, the helmet seems to be named. On the crown we see a long line of cursive written out, faded almost past being readable. Can anyone make it out? Also of note on the body, the liner seems typical to what one would see on a standard issued helmet.

    Exterior wise, the helmet tells a different story. Many of the parts make the helmet out to be privately purchased: The rear spine, the perlring on the spike, the heavily engraved wappen, the flat-scaled chinstrap (not seen on a standard EM helmet), and also the chinscale mount. All these reflect a privately purchase helmet. I will make note, however that the visor trim is wide and flat, the spike is the shorter enlisted variant, the domed brads securing the spike, and again the interior lining. All these are normal issued fittings.

    To the Wappen, the Reservist cross seems to be on too high and wouldn’t the ribbon be excluded from the eagles wings on the wappen if the reservist’s cross were present?

    So many observations… Could it be possible that this helmet was once a fire fighting helmet (or other civil servant) and upon the outbreak of war was taken by its owner to a shop and fitted for his enlistment in the reserves? Or is this helmet just a “bits and pieces slap together”? Any and all help would be ACE!

    Regards,
    Jeremy

    #2
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      #3
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        #4
        More pictures you ask?
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          #5
          oh yes, I have more pictures.
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            #6
            And now for the name.. First pic shows the beginning. Second pic shows the rest. Can anyone make it out??
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              #7
              Hi Jeremy,
              I hate to say negative things about other peoples stuff, but for this helmet I think some red flags are seen... So, imo it's a "put together haube" for the following reasons:
              - the Kokarden seem to be repro (or at least repainted) and don't match the overall condition of the haube
              - the chinstrap should be secured by steel screws with visible head on the outside
              - the spike is a later officers model
              - one of the nuts is hexagonal and should always be square, the other pins are also different
              - the thread of the bolt sticking thruogh the hexagonal nut should be cut of with pliers and not be machined
              - The wappen should be without bandeau when it has a reservist's cross. However this was not always done per regulations...
              Looking at all thes points together, I'm convinced that this haube is put together.
              I hope this doesn't look to bad, but that's only my humble opinion...

              Adler

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                #8
                No worries Adler! I'd surmised the same opinion myself prior to posting. I'm really sort of just seeking to re-enforce my findings. I agree, it is clear that the helmet has been put together...

                My concerns have been that none of these parts even have any business being together at all! For instance the body doesnt seem to go with the fittings. I dont want a helmet that has mismatched nonsence thrown onto it.

                I suppose I should pose the question of whether the helmet should be labeled as reconstructed (fixing the pin backs in the interior of course)... or would it do a better serivce to disassemble the "incorrectness" of this helmet so that the parts could be used on another helmet in a proper restoration project?

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                  #9
                  Yes, imo you could do this...

                  Adler 1

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