Original German WWI Bavarian M1886/1914 Infantry Officer Pickelhaube Spiked Helmet

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a traditional German first world war Bavarian Officer's brass mounted leather helmet known as a Pickelhaube, for the Foot-troops (Infantry). The M1886/14 Bavarian Pickelhaube was the final evolution in a long series of spiked helmets, and is very similar to the Prussian version. The M1886 version features a cruciform spike base on ALL helmets, both enlisted and officer. The star retaining pins on the base definitely identify this as an officer. It also has the M1886/1914 modified wappen, which removed the branches and bay-leaf ornamentation around the Lions.

Like all pickelhauben, it was manufactured from boiled leather, lacquered black, and provided with fittings made of brass or German silver, dependent upon the Regt. The protection it offered was very limited and led to the eventual replacement by a steel helmet in 1916.

This helmet features a brass infantry wappen (front plate) with the Bavarian coat of arms, over the kingdom's motto, In Treue Fest, German for "steadfast in loyalty." It is complete with the likely Bavarian (blue and white) and German National Colors (red white and black) Kokarden (cockades) around the chin strap lugs. The Bavarian cockade is nearly void of paint, so we cannot say with 100% certainty that it is Bavarian, but it likely is. 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. These are retained by the flat brass chin scales attached to brass lugs, which were correct for all infantry soldiers until 1914.

The interior of the Pickelhaube is in fine condition, and this example actually has an officer's style liner in well-worn condition. The liner is complete with the original silk skull cap, though there is definitely deterioration from age and use. The sweatband is the correct doe skin leather, and is retained very well, though the silk has detached from the leather in areas. The silk is split in places, though still looks good, with a nice cream color. The spike base of the helmet is missing three of the four rivets, and is now sinking down into the helmet from improper storage. Thankfully the spike base is still tight despite this. 

The front leather visor has brass trim in good condition, still tight to the visor, which has some finish "melting" as often seen. The metal spine that descends from the spike's baseplate to the edge of the rear visor is also in very good condition, as is the rear visor. The rear visor has also had the stitching rot out, so it is held in place by the spine and some stitching on the side. 

Overall a very nice condition Bavarian Infantry pickelhaube, a great addition to any collection.