Evolution of the Pickelhaube 1842-1915

[Prussian]

It was in the year 1842 that the King Fredreich Wilhelm IV of Prussia introduced the Pickelhaube (Spiked Helmet)to the field for the vast majority of Prussian foot soldiers. The helmet measured almost 38cm (15 inches)tall with a cruciform spike base & squared front visor. For infantry & the majority of other foot troops, the helmet was decorated with a tall spike. For Artillery, a ball replaced the spike symbolising the cannon ball's association with the Artillery.

The spike was ventilated by two holes on the spike neck. Around the neck of the spike was a decorative brass "Perlring", basically a "ring of pearls". Convex brass chinscales were worn by all ranks & were secured to the helmet with a long bolt with a brass head.

The Eagle front plate was void of any Bandeau(scroll) & was originally secured by two bolts that passed through the front plate. This was change in 1843 to tow bolts soldered to the reverse of the plate. On the right side of the helmet a leather Prussian Kokarde in the National colours of black/white/black was worn under the chinside.

On the rear of the helmet a brass spine ran from the spike base to the bottom of the rear visor, which added strength & rigidity to the helmet body. The spine was secured to the helmet by external bolts.

Helmet fittings, such as the front plate, spike & base, front visor trim & rear spine were made both in brass or nickel. As a rule, the colour of the uniform buttons worn by the unit(brass or nickel)determined the choice made.

[Prussian]

Model 1856/57 Pickelhaube

In 1856, the convex brass chinscales were changed to flat brass chinscales for all infantry units. Calvary & field Artillery continued to ultilize convex chinscales. At the same time, the leather Kokarde was changed to a smaller sheet metal version. In 1857 the helmet height was reduced to make the helmet less unwiedy & more for practical use. Existing Model 1842 helmets were cut down & re-sewn to comply with the new regulations.

Model 1860 Pickelhaube

Once again the Pickelhaube was reduced in size, requiring a subsequent reduction of size of the Eagle front plate. Once again existing Model 1856/57 was cut down & re-sewn to comply with the new regulations.

The front plate continued to be secured with a threaded bolt & nut system. The new front plate sported a bandeau with the motto "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND". Older plates that were void of the bandeau, were modified by having the bandeau soldered to the front to make the plates comply with the regulations.

[Prussian]

Model 1867 Pickelhaube

Changes were required to the helmet as the direct result of the experience gained in the war with Austria & Hannover in 1866. These changes were intended to simplify production & reduce the cost of manufacturing the helmet.

The cruciform spike base was changed to a round to a round base secured with split brads bent back against the inside of the helmet. The square front peak was changed to a rounded one. The rear spine was removed to reduce the amount of brass used on construction.

As a result, earlier modified helmets that had been sewn on the rear, were reversed so the helmet plate would cover the stitching. The fron plate was now secured to the helmet with two sliders that replaced the threaded bolts.
The plate fit into corresponding two female slots secured to the front of the helmet.

Exceptions for the Model 1867 Pickehaube

AlthoughLine units such as Infantry, Artillery, Pioneer, Train & Verkehrstruppen adopted the round spike base & visor 1867, Dragoons continued to use the cruciform spike bases & square front visors. Hessen Helmets & a few small units a combination. Hessen, as well as civilian Police & fire departments Pickelhauben utilized a unique combination of a cruciform spike base with a round front visor.

Württemburg Landjäger Korps & Customs/Border guards utilized around spike base & square front visor. In 1886 Bavaria adopted the Pickelhaube for it's army.

[Prussian]

Model 1871 Pickelhaube

Experience in the Fronco-Prussian war of 1870 to 1871 clearly showed that the system for securing the front plate was inadequate. The slider system resulted in helmets being lost during use. The proven thread bolt & nut was reinstated to replace the failed slider system.

The rear spine was also reintroduced as the helmet proved to be too weak without it. The new spine was secured to the helmet with hidden bolts soldered to the underside of the spine.

The twin vent holes in many M1871 helmets are capable of being closed to prevent excessive ventilation. Rather then being soldered on, the Perlring can be rotated to close the twin vent on the spike neck.

[Prussian]

Model 1887 Pickelhaube

Several changes were introduced in 1887 to reduce the amount of brass used in construction. The peak trim was removed & a ribbed edge was pressed directly into the leather. For infantry & foot Artillery units, the brass chinscales were changed to a leather chinstrap for Mannschaft.

The threaded post & bolt used to secured the chinscales was changed to a loop & hook system for the new leather strap. The spike was reduced in height & the Perlring on the spike neck was removed from enlisted helmet spikes. NCO's & cavalry continued to use the Perlring.

[Prussian]

Model 1891 Pickelhaube.

The features introduced in 1887 proved to be completely unsatisfactory. The loop & hook system used to hold on the leather chinstrap was replaced with a new system of securing the chinstrap, the model 1891 post.

The leather chinstrap was changed to a double buckle & the end of the strap was fitted with a brass loop with a cut "V". The chinstrap loop was designed to fit onto the corresponding M91 Post, keeping it secure but allowing easy removal.

Removal of the brass peak was found to weaken the helmets significantly, so the front brass peak was reintroduced on all helmets. 1891 brought about the final reduction in height for the helmet, giving it a more domed appearance that remained for the life of the Pickelhaube.

[Prussian]

Model 1895 Pickelhaube

The rear spine on all Mannsschaft helmets were equipped with a ventilation hole near the base of the spike. The vent was fitted with a small sliding cover which enabled the user to increase or decrease the flow of ventilation in the helmet according to the weather conditions.

To further aid in ventilation , the twin vent holes on the spike neck were increased to five. The soldered bolt & nut system used to secure the front plate onto the helmet was changed to a soldered loop that passed through corresponding holes on the front of the helmet.

A leather wedge was then passed through the loop on the interior to keep the plate in place.

[Prussian]

1897 Reichs-Kokarde

In 1897 a new reichs-Kokarde in Red-White-Black was introduced for all ranks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Wilhelm I's birth. The Reichs-Kokarde was to be worn on the right side of the helmet & the state Kokarde was moved to the left.

[Prussian]

Model 1915 Pickelhaube

In 1915, the Brass & Nickel fittings on Mannschaft were changed to steel to free up the former for the war effort. The reflective fittings on pre-war helmets had also proved to be a liability in war time, so the grey no reflective fittings were introduced.

The steel fittings were painted grey. In an effort to make the user less obvious & visible they spike was no removable. The spike was slotted to fit into a corresponding bayonet style lug on the round base.
Helmets from this period tend to relfect on the war time economy & are usually made from much thinner leather then earlier helmets.

[Prussian]

Ersatz Helmets

Due to the allied blockade of Germany, a shortage of leather from Argentina resulted in the Germany army making from Ersatz(replacement) materials. Felt, tin, steel & fiber are the most common encountered.