Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Imperial German Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks) pickelhaube, with the Grand Duchy of Baden (Großherzogtum Baden) Wappen.

The Mannschaften (Other Ranks) M1895 Pickelhaube was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of spiked helmets. It was manufactured from boiled leather, lacquered black, and provided with fittings made of brass or German silver depending on the Regiment. The protection it offered was very limited and led to the eventual replacement by a steel helmet in 1916.

This size 53 helmet features a polished brass front plate (wappen) with the Crowned Heraldic Griffin clutching a sword and resting on the Baden state shield. Below this is the Grand Duchy's motto: MIT GOTT F. FUERST U. VATERLAND (With God for Prince, or Grand Duke, and Fatherland). The crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mount on a polished brass baseplate. The spike is in good condition with some “crimping” at the top and is easily removable, but only the top for when a plume would be attached. It does not have a vented spine on the rear, nor are there any cockades present. The Wappen is held in place by the correct square brass bolts. Unfortunately the brass trim on the visors is missing and the visors themselves are still slightly attached.

The chinstrap is in great condition with minor cracking in the leather and minimal wear on the buckles. The liner is complete but in fair condition with most of the lacquer still remaining, it has some cracking in the leather with the rear stitching undone.

Overall this Pickelhaube is in great condition given the age and it will definitely display well in any collection.

Germany’s Pickelhaube helmet, distinguished by a lone spike jutting straight from its top, became a symbol of Prussian militarism in the early 20th century. At first glance, the distinctive spike seems to have served no practical purpose and use of these helmets on the battlefield was abolished during World War I.

Introduced by the Prussian military in 1843, the Pickelhaube was originally proposed for use by cavalry troops. The helmets, made of pressed leather, were developed as an updated solution to the conical shako hats worn by Prussians during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleonic-era shakos offered virtually no head protection and were cumbersome to wear in wet conditions, as they easily soaked up rain. The Pickelhaube, therefore, was greeted as a practical modern invention. The new “leather helmets” or “helmets with spikes” gave soldiers’ greater head covering and visibility.

The distinctive spike on the Pickelhaube was supposed to function as a blade tip. It was designed to deflect sword blows aimed at the head. The spikes could be modified depending on soldiers’ battlefield duties and outfitted with plumes on formal occasions.

Use of the helmet became widespread throughout Germany and was even adopted by regional police forces and fire brigades. The helmet was often greeted with sarcasm and mockery, even within Germany. In 1843, the famous German poet, Heinrich Heine, wrote and published a satiric poem, “Germany: A Winter’s Tale,” in the poem, Heine compared the Pickelhaube to a lightning rod:

“Yes, yes, I like the helmet, it demonstrates the loftiest wit!
A kingly inspiration, it was! Complete with a point and tip!
I’m just afraid a storm will come and only too easily hit,
That romantic crown of yours with a fancy lightning blitz!”

The Pickelhaube became a symbol of Prussian aggressiveness and battle prowess. An imperial proclamation in 1871 made the Pickelhaube mandatory for all German troops. Proud Prussian military leaders with bristling mustaches posed for publicity photos sporting the Pickelhaube, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, Otto von Bismarck, and Paul von Hindenburg. In other countries, the horned helmets became synonymous with barbarism, especially during World War I.