Prussia, Kingdom. An Infantry Officer’s Pickelhaube

(Preußen Pickelhaube für einen Offizier der Infanterie). A very well-preserved Prussian Infantry Officer’s Pickelhaube, constructed of a pressed and reinforced blackened leather shell. Affixed to the crown with four rivets is a polished silvered bronze disc, with raised eight-pointed star capping each rivet. Emanating from the centre of the disc is a protruding, tapering spike measuring 115 mm in height from base to tip. Extending from the back of the disc is a narrow polished and silvered bronze bar which continues down over the side wall and completes at the edge of a rear visor. Riveted to the peak is a silvered bronze insignia consisting of a finely-detailed Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and scepter. The eagle is bears a central monogram and is overlaid by a banner bearing a raised inscription of “MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND” (“WITH GOD FOR KING AND FATHERLAND”), and measures 130 mm (w) x 110 mm (h). Rivets to each side are magnetic metal cockades, with the left side featuring a German Imperial tricolour motif, and the left side presenting in a classic Prussian black and silver colour scheme. Secured to the cockades is a chinstrap consisting of black leather base topped by a multi-piece gilded bronze chinscale. Adjusted with a functional buckle and clip, the chinstrap rests upon a protruding front visor which is reinforced along the edge with a silvered bronze rim. The interior features a fully-intact brown leather chinstrap with a scalloped top edge, measuring 45 mm in width. It is fully encompassed by a two-piece retractable silk composite liner, which opens to reveal the exterior rivets, as well as a handwritten size mark of “56”. It measures approximately 180 mm (w) (inclusive of fixtures) x 240 mm (l) x 115 mm (h) (exclusive of spike). Minor, age-appropriate material fatigue is evident to the outer leather shell, but this striking Pickelhaube remains in an overall extremely fine condition.