The pickle on the forum 'header' ?

[MH184]

Hi guy's,

Sorry for my ignorance, but the pickle on the new forum header, is that a private purchase helmet ?

Is it the same as my one.......it appears to have a black base to the spike, is that a difference or ?????

I know nothing about pickles, yet I'm drawn to them..so please forgive my ignorance. I saved all the data that was given to me but lost it all due to a virus....would you guy's please re-help me on this pickle please.

It's dated Berlin 1910 under the silk on a paper label too, if that's off any help.

I apologise for this but could you please re-help me on this (I'll be buggerd if I can find the old posts)

And what about care of them, do you use bee's wax or Kiwi polish and the brass..to clean or not ???? I don't mean polish but to get rid of the tarnish and 'black' in the detail.

I know these are elementary novice questions, but all advice would be appreciated...all my helmets are Imperial for a TR badge/award collector

Thank you dearly for your time once again.

Marcus

Sorry about the night time pictures, the first one is minus flash, the second with flash.

[MH184]

Flash pic

[PaulChep]

Marcus, In regards to care of the helmet. It has been my experience that cleaning silver and brass can lower the value of the item. The tarnish will not hurt to sliver or brass. As far as the leather I would just keep it clean and free of dirt or dust. Others may have a different opinion.

[Dave Mosher]

Marcus

Both of these helmets would be worn by several of the prussian guard unit(s), and both are private purchase helmets. However, the header helmet is for an officer and yours would be worn by other ranks personnel (unteroffiziere and sergeanten) up to the rank of a Vizefeldwebel, based on the cockade used. It could also be worn by a One Year Volunteer, who would purchase his own equipment. You have a great looking helmet!

Dave

[MH184]

Thank you Paul and David for the info, I feel it preferable not to clean either and will leave it as such.

Thank you,

Kr

Marcus

[Tony & Kaiser]

Marcus, In regards to care of the helmet. It has been my experience that cleaning silver and brass can lower the value of the item. Others may have a different opinion.

That would be me. Cleaning silver or gilt mercury wash is a disaster, but brass or German silver, no damage at all. If they are dirty or tarnished, and NOT gilted, I would clean them. Have a look at my cleaning and conservation site below, you will see a full cleaning of a Pickelhaube with German silver fittings.

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/preservation/index.htm

[MH184]

I thought I'd just show this out of interest. a while back Tony and I chatted my pickle and I learn't a thing a two further about them and this one.


I'd never realised you take the spike top off by unscrewing it, and I'd never really realised that it was silver, I had always though it was brass

I've been semi tempted to silver dip it, not polish but just dip it and get rid of the tarnish but I'll leave it as it is I think.

This is the untouched state under the spike ! And you can see the silver, well it was a some what revelation for me

Kr

Marcus

[Brian S]

I've been tempted to take the spike of my grandfather's helmet but he was the last person to see under there and I can't do it...