Württemberg, Kingdom. A Rare Artillery Officer’s Pickelhaube with Case

(Württemberg Pickelhaube für Offiziere der Artillerie). A rare and very well-preserved Württemberg Artillery Officer’s Pickelhaube, constructed of a pressed blackened leather shell. The crown is riveted with a circular gilded brass plate from which emanates a rounded ball ornament measuring 82 mm in height from base to tip. Emanating from the back of the plate is a gilded brass bar which descends down from the side wall and culminates at the edge of a reverse visor. Riveted to the peak is a gilded brass insignia consisting of a central Württemberg coat of arms, flanked by a lion and stag rampant, and above a banner bearing a raised inscription of “FURCHTLOS UND TREW” (“FEARLESS AND LOYAL”). The peak insignia measures 130 mm (w) x 75 mm (h) as custom-fitted for the Pickelhaube. It is flanked on each side by gilded brass and magnetic metal rivets set above magnetic metal rosettes, with the right side presenting in an Imperial German tricolour motif, while the red side is finished in classic Württemberg black and red. Emanating from the rivets is a two-piece chinstrap consisting of a black leather base topped by tapering gilded brass scales. The straps meet in the middle and secure together with a sliding lock and separate buckle. Completing the exterior features is a sloping frontal visor, fully lined along the rim with a gilded brass reinforcing bar. The interior features a light brown leather sweatband with a scalloped edge surrounding the side walls. A two-piece retractable silver-grey silk composite liner fully encompasses the interior and conceals the outer fixtures. The Pickelhaube is unmarked and measures approximately 200 mm (w) (inclusive of rivets) x 248 mm (l) x 120 mm (h). It is accompanied by its period original storage case, constructed of a two-piece heavy card stock cylinder with a black leatherette exterior lid. The exterior retains a black leather strap with a magnetic metal buckle meeting an additional strap emanating from the lid for secure closure. Also retained is a partially-intact label featuring an owner’s surname and location which appears to read “LANGENBURG, WÜRTTEMBERG”. Both the lid and cylinder retain an intact white silk composite liner. The Pickelhaube is missing one of four ornament rivets and demonstrates minor fatigue to the leather underlay of the chinstrap, while the case shows moderate material fatigue which includes the loss of the carrying strap, consistent wear of the outer liner, and some soiling of the interior liner. This rare and otherwise well-preserved set is in an overall near extremely fine condition.