Prussia, Kingdom. A Line Infantry Regiment Officer’s Pickelhaube

(Preußen Pickelhaube für einen Offizier der Linien-Infanterie). A striking and exceptionally well-preserved Prussian Line Infantry Regiment Officer’s Pickelhaube, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. The exterior crown is topped by a polished brass disc secured in place with four rivets topped by eight-pointed star caps. Emanating from the disc is a two-piece spike, with the throat perforated by two ventilation holes and with the top piece removable and retaining an intact screwpost. Riveted to the peak is a a brass insignia consisting of a detailed, crown Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, bearing a monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm, and overlaid by a banner bearing an inscription of “MIT GOTT FÜR KÖNIG UND VATERLAND” (“WITH GOD FOR KING AND FATHERLAND”). The insignia is perfectly form-fitted to the shell and measures 12.5 cm (w) x 10 cm (h) as presented. Brass discs flanked the shell and secured in place a two-piece chinstrap constructed of a padded black leather base topped by brass chain scales which cascade toward the centre, where the two lengths fasten together with a stud. Situated beneath the discs are painted magnetic metal cockades, with the left side featuring a black, white, and red tri-colour motif, while the right side is finished in a Prussian black and white (the latter substituted with silver metal). Descending from both the front and back are a lacquered and boiled blackened leather visor and neck guard, the former reinforced along the rim with a brass bar. An additional brass bar emanates from the back of the crown disc and descends down the reverse where it attaches to the edge of the neck guard. A brown leather sweatband with a scalloped edge fully encompassed the interior and is stitched onto the rim. The interior is encompassed by a two-piece green cotton-blended retractable liner, pulling back to reveal riveted securing the exterior fixtures in place. A brass medallion bearing a raised shell size of “60” is affixed to the bar of the neck guard. Otherwise unmarked, the Pickelhaube measures approximately 20 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 23 cm (h) (inclusive of spike). Minor, age-appropriate cracking is visible to the lacquered finish of the shell, with some additional fatigue and soiling of the interior liner consistent with light wear. This superb example remains in an extremely fine condition.