Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good condition “smart-looking”, officer pickelhaube from a Prussian Dragoner (Dragoon) Mounted Infantry Regiment, as indicated by the "Squared" front visor and Cruciform Spike support. The helmet was most likely used during World War One.

The Pickelhaube of commissioned officers holding a rank from Lieutenant to Colonel are all identical in features, but not quality. The quality of helmets within these ranks depended entirely on how much the individual wished to spend. A lowly Lieutenant's helmet may be of much higher quality than one worn by a Colonel. As expected, officer helmets were of a much higher quality than the issued version and utilized the "squared finger" liners until 1880, when the internal leather sweatband and silk skull-cap came into use.

Regardless of the unit, officer Pickelhaube share common features such as: the undersides of visors are lined, Officer Kokarden are carried, and the "egg & dart" Perlring was matched with star-pattern spike base brads, and chin scales were worn. The officer's Pickelhaube was basically unchanged from 1871 to 1899 when it had a more domed shape, and from 1899 to the end it had more of a skull shape. Otherwise, with the exception of the addition of the Reich's Kokarde in 1897, the officer's Haube was mostly the same from 1871 to 1918. As with most pickelhauben, they are made from boiled leather, which is then lacquered black.
The overall condition of this officer's pickelhaube is very good. Almost all of the helmet's furniture is highly-detailed gilt brass nickel alloy, though over the years it has oxidized slightly, and the brass has taken on a nice patina. Unfortunately, a previous owner decided to clean and attempt to polish all of the furniture, removing the patina. The Prussian wappen (coat of arms) features a large Prussian Eagle holding a scepter in the right claw, and an orb in the right. Unlike the typical wappen, this does not have the King's motto. This is quite interesting, and not something we have seen before, but with Officers private purchase pickelhaubes, regulations did not matter as much. The Wappen is held in place by the correct bolts used on officer's models. The chin scales are also gilt brass, and are complete, with the expected leather deterioration of age.

Both kokarden (cockades) are present, and are of high-end two piece construction, with detailed casting. In 1897 a 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. The paint on both is still almost completely intact, and they look great.
The officer spike atop the helmet is intricately decorated at the base with the usual "egg and dart" motif. The top of the spike screws off, revealing the fitting for a parade plume. Additionally, this pickelhaube has the old-style cruciform spike base, which after 1860 was still used ONLY by the Prussian Dragoon regiments. All other Prussian groups moved to a round base. This base still retains 2 of the brass stars and two domed ones.

The helmet's interior still retains multiple size stickers which state the size as 57 written on it. The shape of this pickelhaube is unfortunately a bit squashed, probably due to long term weight on the spike, something that we see quite often. There is also definitely some level of leather shrinkage due to age, which is why some fittings are somewhat loose.

The inside liner is still present, complete with the original red colored silk skull cap, which is in worn condition, though it does have some splits, tears and definitely shows wear. The leather portion of the liner is nice and supple, with some staining and cracking with sections missing. It is in fair condition, but these are exceedingly rare in any condition.

Overall a very appealing Model 1897 Dragoon Pickelhaube helmet, complete with original helmet cover, ready to display!