Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice condition Imperial Prussian Landwehr Reserve Infantry (Junior Officer / NCO) pickelhaube. It is complete with all original parts, one of the nicest we have received recently.

The M1895 was the final pre-1914 evolution in a long series of spiked helmets. It displays lovely condition with German golden / brass fittings and Wappen (Prussian spread eagle helmet plate) and comes complete with supple original leather liner and Original Chinstrap. The spike on top denotes infantry issue and retains correct chin strap lugs, cockades, and chin strap. Pickelhaubes with German Silver fittings and Wappen were worn by Line Infantry Units (dependent upon regiment), and Pionier (Engineer) units.

This helmet features a brass alloy frontplate (wappen), with a silver landwehr Iron Cross fitted into a recess in the chest of the eagle. There is also the small adjustable vent on the spine that supports the rear skirt, only seen on the enlisted helmets. All fittings on the helmet are matching brass.

The front wappen features Prussian state eagle clutching a scepter and crown. There is a large "Iron Cross" emblem on the breast of the eagle, which is marked in very small text with the Kingdom of Prussia's Motto:

mit Gott
Für König und Vaterland
1813

This translates to "With God for King and Country," i.e. Prussia, over the year 1813, when King Frederick William III of Prussia established the Iron Cross award. It is held in place by wood pieces and not the original leather wedges.

The helmet has the German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockade) around the right and left chinstrap 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. This helmet was most likely missing one and had a spare added.

The Attached chin scales is complete and original, which have always been incredibly hard to find, as they were rather fragile, even when new. The leather backing is still present, though does have tearing present with material loss.

The interior features an original leather liner, which shows honest use and degradation from age. The interior shell has a faint depot stamp and what appears to be a name.

The exterior of the helmet shell is really in very shape, with a nice enamel finish, showing the usual crazing and checking from age. The front visor is still attached with intact stitching, another rarity. The rear visor is deformed and is mostly detached.

Overall an excellent display piece of a very hard to find example of a reserve pickelhaube, which is hard to find in any condition! Perfect for any WWI collection!