Original Imperial German WWI Grand Duchy of Baden M1915 Infantry EM/NCO Pickelhaube Helmet with Loose Visors - No Cockades or Chinstrap

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fair condition Imperial German line Infantry enlisted man's Mannschaften (other ranks) pickelhaube, with Grand Duchy of Baden (Großherzogtum Baden) Wappen. The M1915 was the last model of Pickelhaube issued prior to the move to all steel helmets. In accordance with the 1915 regulations these helmets would no longer use brass, silver, or Tombak as the M1895 did. All issued Pickelhaube would now use grey oxidized steel fittings for all regiments. The wappen is attached via the two original leather wedges.

This helmet features a oxidized steel frontplate (wappen) with the Crowned Heraldic Griffin clutching a sword and resting on the Baden state shield. Below this is the Grand Duchy's motto: MIT GOTT F. FUERST U. VATERLAND (With God for Prince, or Grand Duke, and Fatherland). The crown of this leather helmet displays a vented enlisted removable spike mount on an oxidized steel baseplate. The spike is in good condition, and is removable. The shell of the pickelhaube has retained its shape mostly well, but the front visor is missing all of its stitching and sags, and the rear visor is missing all of its stitching and is only attached via the rear spine.

It also has the correct "vent" on the rear support spine of the helmet, which still opens and closes. The helmet is missing both cockades and the chinstrap.

The interior features the original leather liner, which is in good condition, with all fingers intact, although there is some tearing. There is a small fragment of an old tag on the liner as well. The helmet is very faintly marked 52 on the interior for the size.

The black leather shell shows some heavy crazing but has retained its shape very well. The lacquer finished leather is in great condition having no serious issues. Both visors are missing all of their stitching and are only held on by the side rivets and the rear spine.

Overall a very nice condition Imperial German pickelhaube from the Grand Duchy of Baden, a great addition to any collection! It will need some stitching to get the visors secured, but it should display well on a head as is.

Germany’s Pickelhaube helmet, distinguished by a lone spike jutting straight from its top, became a symbol of Prussian militarism in the early 20th century. At first glance, the distinctive spike seems to have served no practical purpose and use of these helmets on the battlefield was abolished during World War I.

Introduced by the Prussian military in 1843, the Pickelhaube was originally proposed for use by cavalry troops. The helmets, made of pressed leather, were developed as an updated solution to the conical shako hats worn by Prussians during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleonic-era shakos offered virtually no head protection and were cumbersome to wear in wet conditions, as they easily soaked up rain. The Pickelhaube, therefore, was greeted as a practical modern invention. The new “leather helmets” or “helmets with spikes” gave soldiers’ greater head covering and visibility.

The distinctive spike on the Pickelhaube was supposed to function as a blade tip. It was designed to deflect sword blows aimed at the head. The spikes could be modified depending on soldiers’ battlefield duties and outfitted with plumes on formal occasions.

Use of the helmet became widespread throughout Germany and was even adopted by regional police forces and fire brigades. The helmet was often greeted with sarcasm and mockery, even within Germany. In 1843, the famous German poet, Heinrich Heine, wrote and published a satiric poem, “Germany: A Winter’s Tale,” in the poem, Heine compared the Pickelhaube to a lightning rod:

“Yes, yes, I like the helmet, it demonstrates the loftiest wit!
A kingly inspiration, it was! Complete with a point and tip!
I’m just afraid a storm will come and only too easily hit,
That romantic crown of yours with a fancy lightning blitz!”

The Pickelhaube became a symbol of Prussian aggressiveness and battle prowess. An imperial proclamation in 1871 made the Pickelhaube mandatory for all German troops. Proud Prussian military leaders with bristling mustaches posed for publicity photos sporting the Pickelhaube, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, Otto von Bismarck, and Paul von Hindenburg. In other countries, the horned helmets became synonymous with barbarism, especially during World War I.