WW1 Issued German Saxon Artillery Pickelhaube.

A German great war issued Pickelhaube worn by an enlisted man in the Saxon Artillery. It is an 1897 pattern helmet that has been reissued for the war. It has a good leather shell which has only suffered a small amount of shrinkage and is still a good size. This original shellack finish on the helmet is still good with some light cracking and a couple of areas of deeper cracking, which cant be off on a leather helmet. It has the correct wide brass rim on the peek and brass spine with vent. It has the earlier ball top which unscrews, and it is held in place by four brass studs. It has a war time issue two-part plate, (Brass backing plate with a white metal centre plate) not as good quality as prewar issues, the metal is a bit thinner and one point on the starburst has cracked over the years and the plate has worn into the helmet shell which has also cause slight damage to the finish. It has wartime issue cockades, these have some rust, and black leather chinstrap. The chin strap was on the helmet when I got it, but originally it is probably off a Chapka (German Lancers Helmet). Inside it still has its original leather liner, this is a little dry and has some wear, but still complete and not torn. Overall, a very good example of a rare Saxon helmet.

Code: 29776