GERMAN WWI PRUSSIAN GUARD REGIMENT ERSATZ PICKELHAUBE.

A standard all leather pickelhaube, possibly size 54 or 55 with a very good skull, some minor crazing. All of the chemically patinated field grey finish to the back strap, removable spike, spike base, front plate and strap fittings all present with some light fading. Further fading to the front peak trim. The 9 tongued liner all intact with its original leather drawstring. The helmet is complete with its correct original chinstrap and a national and state cockade. The helmet is marked ‘GR1’ plus indelibly pencilled initials of an owner, this could mean Guard Regiment 1 or Grenadier Regiment 1. After the initial start of the war in 1915 when supplies of Grenadier and Guard helmet plates became short and with the introduction of the ersatz fittings many helmets of the standard Prussian style with the standard Prussian plate were issued to these previously individually helmet plated units and this is an example of one of those. Faint traces of a circular maker’s stamp to the inner upper domed area, which retains much original good colour. The helmet plate has never been removed, the leather securing strips that secure the plate to the helmet are totally untouched.

Code: 83477