Original German WWI Prussian M1915 Jäger zu Pferde Lobster Tail Pickelhaube Helmet Shell by Otto Nachtigall of Berlin - Dated 1915

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition Imperial German Prussian M1915 Jäger zu Pferde (Mounted Dispatch Rider) Lobster Tail Pickelhaube Helmet, made by Otto Nachtigall of Berlin. This is one of the two varieties of Metalhelme (Metal Helmets) in use by the German Armed forces, the other of which is the Kürassier Metalhelme worn by heavy cavalry.

It is roughly size 56, but is not size marked anywhere we could find. The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued. In accordance with the 1915 regulations these helmets would no longer would use brass, silver, or Tombak as previous models did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use gray oxidized steel fittings for all Regiments, where previously the dispatch rider fittings had varied based on the regiment. Also, this last revision of the Dispatch Rider helmet replaced the usual chin scale chin strap with the standard M91 leather chin strap, and it would now have the standard removable spike, held on with a "bayonet" style attachment.

This pickelhaube has a basic three-piece construction: helmet, visor and extended rear protective neck guard. It is fabricated from blackened stamped manganese steel, which is the distinctive black mounted dispatch rider finish. The helmet is topped by a removable spike with four ventilation holes and a spike mounting base in the distinctive "cloverleaf" shape used by the dispatch riders, which is held in place by four large capped rivets. The front comes with a visor designed with a turned-up lip, held in place by large capped rivets on either end. The spike appears to be seized and cannot be removed.

This helmet features an oxidized steel frontplate (wappen), and the crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mounted on a steel baseplate. The rear neck guard protrudes outwards, away from the body in the traditional "lobster tail" design, held in place with large capped rivets just inside the outer edge and one smaller central rivet at the rear neck line. The entire outer edge is trimmed in a rolled-around steel band, including the visor and neck guard, protecting the wearer from the raw steel edges of the helmet itself. It is maker stamped and dated on a metal plate secured on the inside of the dome round the vent hole with OTTO NACHTIGALL / BERLIN 1915.

The front Dragoon-style wappen features Prussian state eagle clutching a sword and rod, over the King's motto, MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). It is held in place by split pins on the inside of the shell.

The interior leather liner is partially retained but very worn, and the cockades and chinstrap are all absent. Condition overall is good, with a little of the original finish present, though there is oxidation in areas, as pictured. There is somewhat of a stench to the helmet.

Overall a nice condition Imperial German Prussian Jäger zu Pferde Lobster Tail pickelhaube with a maker marking and date, perfect for any WWI collection!