Arrived just in time for the week-end. I absolutely love it - my first Pickelhaube and I couldn't be happier...got this one from an esteemed forum member (Luftwaffe Rules) so I'm sure you've seen it before but I just had to post some pics...This is such a welcome addition to my helmet collection - Thanks for looking - comments and observations always welcome!

Rob




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Have a look at these markings in the bottom of the helmet - is the maker?
D Estelmann
Stassburg
1916

Help me out on this one please....

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Is this type called the Mannschaften helmet issue? Man...there is sooooo much to learn about these types of helmets...I thought 3rd reich was complex...these helmets present a whole new ball game!!
Any information you can give me on the helmet is greatly appreciated. I know my M34's, 35's, 40's and 42's.....but a super newbie when it comes to these haubes!!

Thanks

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Rob,

Great looking haube. Excellent condition inside and out.




Doug

Thanks Doug....what do you think of the Mannequin I have it set upon?? LOL

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Ok....Ok....seriously....here she is on display in my shelves!!



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Rob

I donno... I've seen better looking heads on a mug of beer


very sweet haube there buddy, bring it next time we get together :)



chris

HAHAH I recognize one of those pics! And then got scared with the manny one...and I thought the quasi female lookin ones were scary! GOD! LOL Just messing, glad your so happy sir enjoy it! Jon

HI Rob,

Congrats! Thats a neat haube! The liner is still intact and in a good shape, missing onlythe drwstring and the helmet body is solid and all the steel fittings are there and correct. The previous owner(s)had indeed taken good care of the helmet and preserved it in such a nice condition.

All you need is to find a Prussian EM kokarden, and yr haube will be perfect
And yes, yours is a Mannschaften helmet issued helmet, which is an EM haube and a goverment property so to speak.

Yours even have the BA (Bekleidungsamt) marks, BA is the clothing depot that issued the haubes to the soldiers. And BA XV is a Prussian Army corps.
Hence your marks are also correct for the haube.

Yours is refered as the M15 Prussian Line Infantry haubes, well, basically the M15 haubes came into service in 1915 to free up the brass for war effort and to minimize the casualties due to the refelective nature of the brass trimmings.And yours is stamped 1916, which is also correct for the haube.

You have a true M15 Prussian Line Infantry haube there!

Pls refer to Tony der Kaiser's excellent sites

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/pe/

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/pe/m1915.htm --> the M15 haubes

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/pt/

And yes, the marks

D Estelmann
Stassburg
1916
is the maker's mark.

You have a great display stands, too!
Tony's excellnet sites also features the preservation method for haubes and how to dispplay them properly.

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/preservation/index.htm

Hope this helps and congrats again,
Mush

Musashi...thanks so much for all your insight! You know you're Haubes buddy! I checked out that site and it is a great reference...thanks for the head's up! These helmets are truly unique!

Jon....wassup man? Don't like the bearded Mannequin??? HAHAHAHA...I was just fuckin' around and my daughter took the picture!

That brings me to the next point: holy shit....these haubes are SO SMALL....
First the question: Why are they so small
Now my probable answer (which is two fold): people were smaller back then (to some extent) and also, the leather has shrunk down over the last 90 years...
Is there anything that I'm missing? Are my assumptions correct.
My son is 8 years old and it barely fits him!!! WHOA....
Thanks gang....I appreciate the info very much!!

Rob

Rob buddy, she's a beauty!

You couldn't have started out with a nicer haube! And then the Mannequin photo really shot it all to hell! (just kidding) Not sure why Jon turned this one loose, but you did good, and I kinda see a new love forming here!

Jeff

Hey....just goes to show....I thought the left side kokarde was missing from the helmet....you know....after 90 plus years...these things happen!
Anyways, this morning I'm getting ready to throw out the box the helmet came in and WHOA....It was in there and it almost got thrown out! The chinstrap got unfastened (happens with shipping) and it must have come off!
Thank goodness I didn't put it out with the trash! PHEW!!
Anyhow...couple updated pics to replace those representing the left side of the lid without the kokarde....

Rob

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YIKES! Dear God, Im glad you snagged that, Im sorry it was attached when I put it in there sir!! Again Im so sorry. To answer your question as to why its so small. Is this is why you find them in great condition, unissued depot ones, that werent big enough to fit someones head so they never gave them out. Therefore being in excellent condition albeit very tiny. Im sorry again Mr. Rob, if in the future you notice that please p/m me, I can tell you if it was missing anything(wouldnt have sold it w/ out stating it). I do actually like the beard though LOL. Jon

Rob,

It sure looks good. About the size, from what I gather, people were smaller then, the helmet sat just above the ears, plus shrinkage of the leather. There is a thread around here somewhere when I posted this one for the first time. Those were the answers I got.

Joey

Hell Jon....you can't control how the P.O. handles the packages in their care!! You had the lid very well packaged! I have absolutely no complaints or concerns buddy!! Before I got into teaching, I worked at a mail depot for Canada post....trust me: fragile don't mean shit to these guys!!
This had nothing to do with you....things just shifted in transit...don't worry 'bout it buddy!

Talk to ya later....I absolutely love the lid! Couldn't be happier!

Rob

A friend of mine here at work is a stand-by pilot for UPS.He told me that the guys unloading the plane just throw the boxes out of the plane to a guy who throws it into a truck.They are unloading as fast as possible and don't look or care if its marked fragile.

I believe it....like I said; I saw it first hand at the postal depot...just being thrown out of a truck instead of a plane. It's a wonder these items make it intact after all that!! Thankfully this one made the "voyage" safe and sound!!

Rob

It looks completely different for some reason! Probably b/c of the lighting in your room, I keep my shades drawn always b/c of I dont want to risk fading on my cloth items. Im glad it got to you safely and you saw that piece! Jon