$1,795.00
Condition: Excellent++
Model: 1897
In stock
Product Description: A fine Imperial Baden Infantry Officer Pickelhaube, Model 1897, constructed to full officer standards and retaining its original fire-gilded trim and fittings.
The helmet body is of black lacquered leather with a rounded front visor, exhibiting excellent form and firm stitching throughout. The exterior lacquer shows only minor crackling from age, with virtually no loss, and the shell is completely free of extra holes. The interior features officer-quality components, including a supple leather sweatband and a silk headliner showing expected age and use. Both visors are correctly lined for officers, green to the underside of the front and red beneath the rear.
The exterior trim is of high-quality fire-gilded metal, all fittings matching in tone and untouched, never cleaned or polished. The rounded spike base is fitted with the officer’s pearl ring and retains its removable spike top, secured by gilt star retainers with threaded posts. The large frontplate is the Baden Griffin executed in frosted gilt, notably with the “Mit Gott für Fürst und Vaterland” banner, and is attached by screw-back retainers.
Completing the helmet are rounded gilt chinscales mounted to rosettes, paired with the officer’s two-piece Reichs cockade and the furled, non-serrated Baden cockade. The piece retains its original fire gilding across all metalwork, adding to its authenticity and appeal. This Baden Infantry Officer Pickelhaube, Model 1897 is a textbook officer example, well-preserved and entirely free of later alterations. With its untouched fire gilding, complete officer-quality interior, and strong lacquered body, it stands as a choice Imperial German officer helmet suitable for any advanced collection.
Historical Description: The Imperial German Pickelhaube is one of the most recognizable military helmets in history, originally introduced in 1842 by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia. Made of black lacquered leather with metal fittings, its most distinctive feature is the spike mounted on top, initially intended to deflect saber blows. The front plate, or wappen, typically features the Prussian eagle or other state emblems, varying by region and military branch. These helmets were worn by infantry, cavalry, artillery, and police units throughout the German Empire.
Pickelhauben came in both enlisted and officer variations, with officer models being more ornate—often featuring taller spikes, silver or gilt trim, and lined interiors. Cockades on either side of the helmet denoted the wearer’s national and state allegiance. Though visually impressive, the helmet proved less practical in modern warfare, leading to its gradual replacement by the Stahlhelm during World War I. Today, the Pickelhaube remains a striking symbol of Imperial Germany’s military tradition and is highly valued by collectors for its craftsmanship and historical significance.
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