GERMAN WWI PIONEER BATTALION 24 PICKELHAUBE

A good medium-sized all-leather bodied pickelhaube for a member of Pioneer Battalion 24. The skull is in excellent shape, light with the crazing overall, some misshaping to one side of the leather rear peak, front peak is good. The back strap, Prussian front plate, front peak trim and strap bosses are all in white metal for Pioneer troops. Interestingly, the spike and circular spike base had been depot replaced during WWI and are in the chemically finished field grey. The front peak trim has the crimping on the inside of the trim and one split in the middle. This is normally caused by slight compression of the peak from either side. To the interior, the colour of the helmet is superb, retaining all of its original mid-tan colour. The liner is absolutely complete with some age foxing to the leather and fitted with its original leather drawstring. Beautifully stamped to the interior of the rear peak B.A.VII (Army Group 7), clearly dated 1908 and a very deeply inked stamp of P.B.24. There is a manufacturer's stamp to the inner upper crown, but this has been obscured by further unit marking of PB24? The helmet is complete with both its national and Prussian cockades; the Prussian State cockade is missing. The chinstrap is present, but the leather is frail

Ref; 90478