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 cross-shaped baseplate featuring four rivets. The latter are capped with eight-pointed radiant stars. A gilded brass 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 flattened and rounded brass 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 non-magnetic metal cockades, with the left side finished in a Prussian black and white colour 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 19 fingers, all perforated at the top with dual eyelets for the accommodation of a drawstring which has been lost to time. Unmarked, the Pickelhaube measures approximately 16 cm (w) x 24 cm (l) x 20 cm (h) overall. In addition to the missing drawstring it demonstrates issues consistent with age and wear, including moderate fatigue of the shell and other leather elements, as well as minor tarnishing of the brass fixtures. It is in an overall better than very fine condition.