Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition Imperial Prussian Line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks or EM / NCO) pickelhaube. 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 would use brass, silver, or Tombak as the M1895 did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use grey oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments. As with previous versions, the body was constructed from 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 still correctly comes off. There is also the small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets, which is also still fully functional.

The front wappen features a crowned Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and orb in its claws, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The leather wedges holding the wappen are present and in good condition, though they may be period replacements. It is complete with the Prussian (black and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. 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. The Attached chin strap is complete, though it definitely does show wear and degradation from use and age.

The interior features a nice original leather liner, which shows moderate use. All fingers are intact, but the top securing strap is missing, so they have curled in a bit. The top of the helmet is quite dark in color, so we can no longer make out any of the original markings.

The exterior of the helmet shell is in good shape, though it definitely looks to have been repainted post war, which is why it is so shiny. This was added over the original finish, so a lot of the cracking and checking that it originally had can still be seen. The front and rear visors are still quite well attached to the helmet, without a lot of the usual looseness that we see.. Overall the metalwork is very good, though some has been painted over.

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