WW1 Bayern Ersatz Infantry Pickelhaube.

A WW1 issue Bavarian Ersatz Infantry enlisted man’s Pickelhaube helmet. As with all or most of the Ersatz issued they are made up from bits and pieces leftover or recycled at the suppliers. This one has a black leather skull with field grey painted fittings. A spine with vent, non-removable spike, a painted steel plate, which a lot of the paint has been lost and has a very light rust bloom on the surface. A pair of cockades and an aged reproduction chin strap, I know this a reproduction because I put it on. This helmet is a good example of its type. It has suffered some shrinkage, but the surface of the leather is sound. The front and back peeks are a little deformed, (I’m getting on my high horse again) these are a little splayed, this is due to being stored or displayed flat on a surface and not on a helmet stand. With modern atmosphere and heating this starts to flatten the peeks. All leather helmets must be lifted off their peeks anything can be used, even a couple of tin cans taped together, it doesn’t have to be anything expensive. Back to the helmet. It has its original leather liner intact although a bit dry and showing wear and the back peek has the faint remnants of unit markings. Overall, a good example of a quite rare helmet. As mentioned, there is some shrinkage but size wise its about a 6&7/8ths.

Code: 30189