Skip to main content
Although typically associated with the Prussian army, Pickelhauben were worn in the 19th and 20th centuries by German military, firefighters, and police. The design was originated in 1842 by King Frederick William IV of Prussia. Some historians speculate that the design might have been based on the earlier Napoleonic cuirassier helmets. Other German principalities quickly adopted the Pickelhaube after its introduction.
Between 1842 and 1918, the Pickelhaube saw many changes, but only a few will be mentioned here. Ventilation holes were added to the spike about 1880. Beginning in 1892, helmets worn in combat were covered by a light brown cloth called an Überzug that protected the helmet and reduced its visibility in combat. Regimental numbers were sewn or stenciled in red onto the front of the cover (or green beginning in August 1914). All helmets produced for the infantry before and during 1914 were made of leather. As the war progressed, however, Germany’s leather stockpiles dwindled and the government issued ersatz Pickelhauben (trans. spiked helmets made of other materials). During the early months of World War I, it was also discovered that the Pickelhaube did not measure up to the demanding conditions of trench warfare. The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel and the conspicuous spike made its wearer a target. These shortcomings, combined with material shortages, led to the introduction of the simplified model 1915 helmet with a detachable spike. In September 1915 it was ordered that the new helmets were to be worn without spikes when in the front line. Beginning in 1916, the Pickelhaube was slowly replaced by a new German steel helmet (the Stahlhelm – a stripped down steel version with reduced visor and neck guard and no contrasting metallic decoration) intended to offer greater head protection from shell fragments. The Stahlhelm decreased German head wound fatalities by 70%. After the adoption of the Stahlhelm the Pickelhaube was reduced to limited ceremonial wear by senior officers away from the war zones.
ProvenanceFrom 1964
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, acquired in 1964. [1]
Notes:
[1] In the early 1960s Charles H. Babcock (1899-1967) gave the house and its contents to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. The house was then incorporated as a museum and collection (Reynolda House, Inc.) on December 18, 1964 with the signing of the charter at its first board meeting. The museum first opened to the public in September 1965.
DepartmentHistoric House
Pickelhaube
Date1891-1914
Mediumleather, gilded brass (or aluminum bronze), tin
DimensionsOverall: 8 3/8 × 6 3/4 × 9 7/8 in. (21.3 × 17.1 × 25.1 cm)
Credit LineReynolda Estate
CopyrightPublic Domain
Object number1922.3.1
DescriptionKnown as a Pickelhaube (spiked helmet) and made of hardened leather and brass (or aluminiumbronze), the helmet has a bulbous shape with short front visor and long curved neck guard (allied troops called them “lobster tails” during World War I). A tall brass spike extends upward from a plate on top of the helmet and an impressive Wappen (coat of arms) featuring a large spread eagle is attached to the front of the helmet. A ribbon across the eagle’s wings and breast bears the motto "MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND" (With God for King and Fatherland). The initials “FR” are shown on the eagle’s breast. Brass trim is on the edge of the front visor and runs as a rib down the middle of the helmet’s back ending at the bottom edge of the neck guard. Two short posts are mounted on the leather helmet at the location of the wearer’s ears. Two round, colored cockades would have been mounted on the side posts under the ends of the chinstrap - one was for the national colors and the other denoted the soldier’s province (Prussia, Bavaria, etc.). The Reynolda House helmet is missing the cockades and the chinstrap.Although typically associated with the Prussian army, Pickelhauben were worn in the 19th and 20th centuries by German military, firefighters, and police. The design was originated in 1842 by King Frederick William IV of Prussia. Some historians speculate that the design might have been based on the earlier Napoleonic cuirassier helmets. Other German principalities quickly adopted the Pickelhaube after its introduction.
Between 1842 and 1918, the Pickelhaube saw many changes, but only a few will be mentioned here. Ventilation holes were added to the spike about 1880. Beginning in 1892, helmets worn in combat were covered by a light brown cloth called an Überzug that protected the helmet and reduced its visibility in combat. Regimental numbers were sewn or stenciled in red onto the front of the cover (or green beginning in August 1914). All helmets produced for the infantry before and during 1914 were made of leather. As the war progressed, however, Germany’s leather stockpiles dwindled and the government issued ersatz Pickelhauben (trans. spiked helmets made of other materials). During the early months of World War I, it was also discovered that the Pickelhaube did not measure up to the demanding conditions of trench warfare. The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel and the conspicuous spike made its wearer a target. These shortcomings, combined with material shortages, led to the introduction of the simplified model 1915 helmet with a detachable spike. In September 1915 it was ordered that the new helmets were to be worn without spikes when in the front line. Beginning in 1916, the Pickelhaube was slowly replaced by a new German steel helmet (the Stahlhelm – a stripped down steel version with reduced visor and neck guard and no contrasting metallic decoration) intended to offer greater head protection from shell fragments. The Stahlhelm decreased German head wound fatalities by 70%. After the adoption of the Stahlhelm the Pickelhaube was reduced to limited ceremonial wear by senior officers away from the war zones.
ProvenanceFrom 1964
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, acquired in 1964. [1]
Notes:
[1] In the early 1960s Charles H. Babcock (1899-1967) gave the house and its contents to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. The house was then incorporated as a museum and collection (Reynolda House, Inc.) on December 18, 1964 with the signing of the charter at its first board meeting. The museum first opened to the public in September 1965.
Status
On view
1910-1920