A First War Bavarian Libe Infantry Pioneer Unit Pickelhaube

A First War Bavarian Libe Infantry Pioneer Unit Pickelhaube - This pickelhaube is produced from polished black leather, lacquered, with mild crazing throughout. The leather is very smooth to the touch, the exterior stitching remaining intact. It has solid polished metal fittings, which includes the spike (with five ventilation holes and an ornate design at the base), circular spike mounting base (with four capped brass pins), rear spine with ventilation shutter, front visor trim and chin strap (multi-scaled with sliding lock). The five ventilation holes at the base of the spike and rear spine with ventilation shutter is indicative of a post 1895 manufactured pickelhaube. There is a three-colour cockade of Imperial Germany on the right side and a blue and silver cockade representing Bavaria on the left side, each with original pins connecting to the metal chin strap, which is supported by an intact underlying supple leather chin strap. The die-stamped German silver helmet plate illustrates two outward facing lions holding the crowned Bavarian shield, the lions standing upon a ribbon banner below inscribed "In Treue Fest" (With Faith). The inside is lined in brown leather, complemented by its black leather liner, the liner with nine tabs, each tab with a hole near their ends for the feeding of the leather drawstring, the ends of which are tied together at the rear. The left rear of the dome is stamped with a faded maker's mark. It measures 165 mm x 245 mm x 200 mm in height, exhibiting paint chipping on the Imperial cockade, denting on the the front visor trim on the inside lip, with normal wear evident overall, intact stitching, fine craftsmanship, Very fine (C:46).