Bavaria, Kingdom. A 12th JR Infantry Regiment Reserve Officer’s Pickelhaube

(Bayern Pickelhaube für Offizier der Infanterie). A well-preserved Bavarian Infantry Regiment Reserve Officer’s Pickelhaube, constructed of a pressed black leather shell. Affixed to the disc with four rivets is a circular bronze disc from which emanates a tapering spike of identical construction. The outer circumference of the spike features five ventilation holes. A curved bronze bar extends out from the back of the disc and extends to the back rim. Riveted to the peak is an ornate insignia consisting of a central crowned oval disc bearing a Bavarian coat of arms, overlaid by a Latin Cross in turn bearing a Bavarian checkered shield. The emblem is flanked on each side by a crown Bavarian lion, and sits above a banner bearing an inscription of “IN TREUE FEST” (“STEADFAST AND TRUE”). It measures 110 mm (w) x 100 mm (h) overall. Bronze rivets flank the sides and secure in place fanned magnetic metal cockades. The left cockade is painted in a black, white, and red Imperial German tricolour motif, while the right cockade is painted in a replacement Bavarian blue and white colour scheme. The rivets also secure in place a black leather chinstrap adjusted with dual functional bronze buckles. A black leather visor emanates from the front, reinforced along the edge with a flattened bronze bar, while a flap of identical construction projects from the back to provide partial neck protection. The interior features a black leather liner which culminates in eight fingers, each perforated at the top with an eyelet through which is looped a period original drawstring. It is unmarked with the exception of a black ink stamp of “12. J.R. 1910” for 12. Infanterie-Regiment. The Pickelhaube measures approximately 160 mm (w) x 258 mm (l) x 230 mm (h) (inclusive of spike). Issues consistent with age are evident, and include superficial cracking and desiccation of the exterior leather (with a small patch of deterioration to the rear flap), as well as some verdigris to the bronze fixtures. This otherwise beautifully-presented example is in an overall near extremely fine condition.