Germany, Imperial. A Prussian Guard Regiment Pickelhaube for Officer Ranks

(Preußen Pickelhaube für Offiziere der Garde-Regiment). A well-preserved Prussian Guard Regiment Pickelhaube (spiked helmet) for Officer ranks, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. The crown is topped by a cruciform gilded brass plate, fixed in place with four domed rivets, which accommodates a removable spike. A gilded brass spine extends from back of the plate and meets the edge of a blackened leather neck guard, similarly fastened in place with two domed rivets. Pinned onto the peak is a gilded brass Prussian imperial eagle clutching a sword and sceptre, overlaid by a banner bearing an inscription of “MITT GOTT FÜR KOENIG UND VATERLAND” (“WITH GOD FOR KING AND FATHERLAND”), and measuring 16 cm (w) x 9 cm (h). The eagle is in turn fastened with a silvered brass emblem in the form of an eight-pointed radiant star bearing a Prussian “Black Eagle” circumscribed by an inscription of “SUUM CUIQUE” (“TO EACH HIS OWN”). The helmet is flanked by 1891 pattern gilded brass studs which accommodate a multi-piece chinstrap consisting of a padded blackened leather base topped by cascading lobster tail-style gilded brass scales, with the two lengths fastening in place in the middle with a stud and eyelet. The studs also accommodate a pair of magnetic metal cockades, with the left side featuring a black and white Prussian motif, and the right side executed in a red, white, and black German imperial tri-colour. A protruding square blackened leather visor completes the exterior features, and is reinforced along the edge with gilded brass. A blackened leather liner surrounds the interior, and culminates in nine fingers, each perforated at the top with an eyelet for the accommodation of a drawstring (with a small portion of the former retained). A magnetic metal plate is secured to the crown with the spike plate’s rivets. A handwritten size mark of “58” is visible on the reverse of the neck, with other illegible marks also applied to the opposite side. The helmet measures approximately 17.5 cm (w) x 24 cm (l) x 22 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some spidering throughout the leather base, fatigue to the leather elements, and minor deterioration of the liner. This high-quality, Officer-grade helmet remains in a better than very fine condition.