Prussia, Kingdom. A Prussian Guards Officer’s Pickelhaube, by Clemen

(Preußen Garde-Regiment Pickelhaube für Offizier). A Prussian Guards Officer’s Pickelhaube, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. Situated atop the crown is a gilded brass spike perforated around the neck with ventilation holes, and which is secured in place with a baseplate featuring four rivets. A bar of identical construction emanates from the back of the baseplate and extends down to a boiled and blackened leather neck guard. Riveted to the peak is an insignia consisting of a gilded bronze plate in the form of a Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, overlaid by a banner bearing an inscription of “MIT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND” (“WITH GOD FOR KING AND FATHERLAND”), and bearing an additional silvered insignia consisting of an eight-pointed radiant starburst with a central Prussian eagles circumscribed by an inscription of “SUUM CUIQUE” (“TO EACH HIS OWN”). The plate measures 13 cm (w) x 10.5 cm (h) overall. It is flanked on each side by a flattened and rounded gilded brass disc which secured in place a multi-piece chinstrap consisting of a partially replacement black leather base topped by gilded brass scales which taper towards the centre, where it locks with a prong. Situated beneath the rivets are non-magnetic metal cockades, with the left side painted in a Prussian black and white colour scheme, while the right side is painted in a black, white, and red Imperial tri-colour motif. Completing the exterior features is a protruding boiled and blackened leather visor, reinforced along the rim with a gilded brass bar. The interior retains the remnants of a black leather liner, which culminates in a number of fingers. Stamped onto the reverse of the neck guard are a number of black ink marks, with the only fully-legible stamped reading “JR23” for Infanterie-Regiment 23. The reverse of the visor bears a partially-legible, hand-written owner’s name indicating that the wearer was a Freiherr (Baron). The visor bar is maker marked “CLEMEN” for Hermann Clemen, Wuppertal-Elberfeld, and it measures approximately 17 cm (w) x 24 cm (l) x 22 cm (h) (inclusive of spike). Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include material fatigue and deterioration throughout the shell and other leather elements, repainting of replacement of the Prussian cockade, and tarnishing of the brass fixtures. The Pickelhaube is in an overall very fine condition.