Germany, Imperial. A Braunschweig Infantry Regiment No. 92 Officer’s Pickelhaube

(Braunschweig Pickelhaube für einen Offizier im Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 92). A well-preserved Pickelhaube for an Officer of Braunschweig Infantry Regiment No. 92, constructed of a pressed blackened leather shell. The crown is riveted with a circular gilded brass plate from which emanates an elongated tapering spike, with the base secured in position with three of four original rivets, each capped with eight-pointed stars. A gilded brass bar extends from the back of the plate and descends down over a sloping back visor. Riveted to the peak is a gilded brass insignia consisting of a Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, overlaid by a banner bearing an inscription of “MIT GOTT FÜR FUERST UND VATERLAND” (“WITH GOD FOR PRINCE AND FATHERLAND”). The eagle is in turn riveted with an additional insignia consisting of a silvered brass Braunschweiger Totenkopf, itself situated above a banner bearing an inscription of “PENINSULA”. The peak insignia measures 130 mm (w) x 100 mm (h) as presented. Gilded brass studs flank the Pickelhaube and secure in place rosettes, with the right side featuring a German Imperial red, white (in silver), and black tricolour, while the left side is finished in a plain Braunschweig blue. The studs similarly secure in place a two-piece chinstrap, each length of which consists of a black leather base topped by tapering gilded brass scales. Both ends culminate in a functional stud clasp for secure locking. Completing the exterior features is a shallow frontal visor, reinforced along the rim with a gilded brass bar. The interior retains an intact brown leather sweatband with a scalloped edge, measuring 45 mm in width. It is fully encompassed by a two-piece retractable satin liner which pulls back to reveal a handwritten size mark of “58” and a stamped code of “1 512 07”. The Pickelhaube demonstrates moderate issues consistent with age and wear, including spots of verdigris to the brass features, sporadic patches of material loss to the outer shell which has revealed the core, and the loss of one of the spike rivets with consequent loosening. This scarce Pickelhaube remains in an overall very fine condition.