Pickelhaube JR 144

[gadaru_kanaru]

Here is a pickelhaube I picked up along with a camo helmet at an estate auction. It's a very small size and is missing the rosettes and chinstrap. This is the first one I've ever found and I really know nothing about them (terminology, models, etc)

It's stamped J.R 144 which I guess stands for Jaeger Regiment 144. Is there any way to research the unit's history? My internet searches revealed nothing.

There also Richter III written in the dome. I assume Richter is a surname. Could the III refer to a sub-unit of JR 144?

I plan to keep the camo helmet and will probably stick this one ebay or something and want to make sure everything is correct before I do so.

Thanks!

[gadaru_kanaru]

more pics

Is that string in the liner original? The leather is super soft & pliable. Hard to believe it's around 100 years old.

[gadaru_kanaru]

Last pics. I take more tomorrow if anybody wants them.

[C. Roelens]

It's a Model 1895 issued to the 144th Infantry Regiment. I believe they were part of the XVI Army Corps. I've never seen that type of drawstring as being original. Appears to be in good condition. Post pictures of the camo when you have time.

Chuck

[Adler 1]

Agree with Chuck.

Adler 1

[90th Light]

"JR 144" was the 5th Lorraine Infantry Regiment from Metz and the surrounding district.

"Richter III" is the German soldiers name. Interestingly there were at least two other soldiers in his company with that surname because they would be listed on the roll as Richter I, Richter II etc

The drawstring is a German boot lace. All my boots German boots brought back from Afrika 1941-43 have that type of lace. I am not sure if they used that type in WW1 but can only presume that they did. One of my Pickelhaube also has that type being used as a drawstring.

A nice, reasonable example of a Prussian Pickelhaube


Chris

[starikurac]

Chuck,

Here it is

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=737242

[gadaru_kanaru]

Wow! Thank you all for your input!

It makes an item so much more interesting to narrow it down to a specific unit. I wish I knew who brought it back but there were no relatives at the sale nor was there any indication of who might've served in WW1.

I just posted the camo the John Burnet Helmet Forum. Having a helmet fetish, I spend most of my time there and thought I'd try to add something there.

I have a dumb question - Would a pickelhaube such as this been taken to a war zone or are they more of a dress/parade type item?

[90th Light]

They wore the Pickelhaube as combat uniform on the front line from 1914 to 1916 until it was replaced by the steel helmet.

After that, they were still worn by some reservist/ Landwehr going up to the line and still awaiting a steel helmet or Landsturm/ support units in both rear areas of the front and on the home front. They kept making them right into 1918,

Chris

[C. Roelens]

They wore the Pickelhaube as combat uniform on the front line from 1914 to 1916 until it was replaced by the steel helmet.

After that, they were still worn by some reservist/ Landwehr going up to the line and still awaiting a steel helmet or Landsturm/ support units in both rear areas of the front and on the home front. They kept making them right into 1918,

Chris

Chris, are you saying they were producing the M1895 Pickelhaube with brass hardware into 1918?

I would think they were phased out with the production of the M1915 Pickelhaube's, and the M16/17/18 steel combat helmet.

Chuck

[90th Light]

Chris, are you saying they were producing the M1895 Pickelhaube with brass hardware into 1918?

I would think they were phased out with the production of the M1915 Pickelhaube's, and the M16/17/18 steel combat helmet.

Chuck

I have never seen a 1918 dated Pickelhaube with brass hardware Chuck.

All the 1918 dated examples I have handled have had ferrous (magnetic) with grey finish or zinc hardware. However, I have seen a 1916 dated Pickelhaube with hardware made from thin brass.

My understanding is that they used brass during WW1 for hardware on Pickelhaubes until it was reclassified as critical for munitions in 1915. After that it was simply a case of when the brass fittings were no longer avaliable for the manufacture of such Pickelhaubes and ferrous/ zinc took over. However they did keep making and issuing Pickelhaube to second, third & forth line troops,

Chris

[Tony & Kaiser]

You guys are focusing on combat operations and forgetting the M1915 Friedens-Uniform (Future Peacetime Uniform) (1916 for Bavaria).

I have several issued Pickelhauben that are dated 1917 and 1918 with brass or Neusilber (nickel silver) fittings.

These were made right up until the end of 1918 for the Friedens-Uniform.

I have never seen a 1918 dated Pickelhaube with brass hardware Chuck. //....

[Jleb2]

Have to agree with Tony, have seen and owned many 1917 and 1918 dated Pickelhauben over the years.

James

[90th Light]

You guys are focusing on combat operations and forgetting the M1915 Friedens-Uniform (Future Peacetime Uniform) (1916 for Bavaria).

I have several issued Pickelhauben that are dated 1917 and 1918 with brass or Neusilber (nickel silver) fittings.

These were made right up until the end of 1918 for the Friedens-Uniform.

Interesting Tony,

many Pickelhaube that I get to see out here in NZ have been brought back from the front by NZ soldiers. I have never seen a 1918 dated example with brass or neusilber fittings.

The New Zealand Division took part in the occupation of Germany’s Rhineland, stationed in the vicinity of Cologne. But this proved a short-lived assignment, and by April 1919 the troops had been pulled back to Britain and the division disbanded. Thus not too many Pickelhaubes were picked up at that time after December 1918.

When I have been able to get the history of brought back examples it is usually one of three cases

1/ found in a trench, dug out or road
2/ taken from a prisoner
3/ found in a rear area storage or repair depot

The 1918 examples seem to have mostly come from depots but not always. However, none have had brass or nickel hardware,

Chris

[C. Roelens]

You guys are focusing on combat operations and forgetting the M1915 Friedens-Uniform (Future Peacetime Uniform) (1916 for Bavaria).

I have several issued Pickelhauben that are dated 1917 and 1918 with brass or Neusilber (nickel silver) fittings.

These were made right up until the end of 1918 for the Friedens-Uniform.

Thanks Tony.

Chuck