Prussia, Kingdom. A Model 1895 Landwehr Infantry Enlisted Personnel Pickelhaube

(Preußen Pickelhaube M1895 für Männer der Reserve). A Model 1895 Landwehr Infantry Enlisted personnel Pickelhaube, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. Situated atop the crown is a gilded brass spike perforated around the neck with ventilation holes, and which is secured in place with a baseplate featuring four rivets. A bar of identical construction emanates from the back of the baseplate and extends down to a boiled blackened leather neck guard. Riveted to the peak is an insignia consisting of a silvered brass plate in the form of a Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, and by a Cross Pattée bearing an inscription of “MIT GOTT FÜR KÖNIG UNDER VATERLAND 1813, measuring 12.5 cm (w) x 9 cm (h). It is flanked by brass studs which accommodate an intact black leather chinstrap which is adjusted with dual brass buckles. Secured in place beneath the studs are magnetic metal cockades, with the left side featuring a black and white Prussian colour scheme, and the left finished in a red, white, and black Imperial 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 has a brown leather liner culminating in nine fingers, each perforated at the top with an eyelet through which is looped a replacement drawstring. Illegible maker’s marks and inspection codes are stamped onto the crown and neck guard, respectively. The Pickelhaube measures approximately 16.5 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 20 cm (h) (inclusive of spike). Significant issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include blunting of the spike’s tip, material fatigue to the leather elements with consequent distortion of the shell’s structure and loosening of the rivets of the spike’s baseplate, tarnishing of the bronze elements, and material fatigue of the liner. This highly-experienced example is in an overall fair condition.