Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful service used example of an M-1915 Imperial Bavarian Line Infantry Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube in good condition. The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued prior to the move to steel helmets. In accordance with the 1915 regulations, these helmets would no longer use brass, silver, or Tombak as the M1895 did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use gray oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments. As with previous versions, the body was constructed from boiled leather, which was shaped and lacquered black.

This helmet features an oxide plated steel frontplate (wappen), and the crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mounted on a steel baseplate, which is still easily removable. It also has the correct vent on the rear spine, though it is currently somewhat hard to move. The front wappen features a crowned Bavarian coat of arms, over the kingdom's motto, In Treue Fest, German for "steadfast in loyalty." It is still held in place by leather wedges, however one is literally falling apart.

It has the German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the right chin strap lug, while the Bavarian Cockade (white and blue) cockade is missing. In 1897 the new Reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Wilhelm 1st. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of the helmet, and the state Kokarde was moved to the left, as on this helmet. Fitted to the lugs is an original leather chinstrap with with oxide coated steel hardware, though the leather is definitely somewhat dried out.

The original liner is present and in very good condition, still intact and supple, and is definitely the best condition item on the entire helmet. We do not see any sign of it being replaced, though the twine top tie string definitely is a replacement. Under the liner around the metal base plate for the spike there is a faint size 58, as well as a faint manufacturer stamp, which looks to have a 1915 date. The rear visor is marked with 11. J. R. in a box, for the 11th Infantry Regiment, most likely the 11th Royal Bavarian Infantry "von der Tann". Bavaria retained the most independence of all the states, and did not have their regiments given additional numbers by the Empire.

The exterior of the helmet shell is in good shape, with very little change to the shape, however the black enamel has degraded, showing lots of checking. It almost looks like a textured leather finish now, and there are some areas of finish loss. The front and rear visors are still quite well attached to the helmet with just about all of the stitching present. Overall the hardware still shows some of the original oxide plating, especially on the wappen and spike.

Overall a very nice condition Imperial Prussian pickelhaube, perfect for any WWI collection!