Prussia, Kingdom. A Customs Officer’s Pickelhaube

(Preußen Pickelhaube für Offizier der Zollbeamte). A Pickelhaube for an Officer of the Prussian Customs Service, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. Situated atop the crown is a gilded and ribbed brass spike with a ball tip, perforated around the neck with ventilation holes, and which is secured in place with a baseplate featuring four rivets. The latter are capped with eight-pointed radiant stars. A magnetic metal bar emanates from the back of the baseplates and extends down to a boiled and blackened leather neck guard. Riveted to the peak is an insignia consisting of a gilded bronze plate in the form of a Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, overlaid by the monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm I. It measures 12.5 cm (w) x 10.5 cm (h) overall. It is flanked by magnetic metal studs which secure in place a multi-piece chinstrap consisting of a black leather base topped by gilded brass scales which taper towards the centre, where it closes with a prong. Situated beneath the studs are magnetic metal cockades, with the left side finished in a Prussian black and white scheme, while the right side is painted with an Imperial black, white, and red tri-colour motif. The exterior features are completed with a protruding boiled and blackened leather visor, reinforced along the rim with a gilded brass bar. The interior retains a brown leather liner, culminating in eight fingers, each perforated at the top with eyelets for the addition of a drawstring which has been lost to time. Presumed owner’s initials of “AB” are visible on one of the right-side fingers in black ink. Otherwise unmarked, the Pickelhaube measures approximately 15.5 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 22 cm (h). Significant issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include cracking and material fatigue to the shell and other leather elements, oxidation of the brass and bronze fixtures, replacement of the peak insignia, and a crack to the visor rim which has been ineffectively replaced with solder. It is in an overall fair condition.