Manufactured circa 1898. Highly elegant helmet made of vulcanized fiber complete with all fittings in gilded execution. The helmet plate in special execution with the large, particularly ornate helmet coat of arms silvered and particularly finely embossed on the golden broad sunburst base. The cruciform base with fluted spike, domed scale chin chains, complete with both cockades, squared front visor. Interior with brown sweat leather, laterally with “blind” embossed maker's mark “Depaheg Patent” above the Quadriga, brown silk lining, size 56. The helmet shows only very light wear, the impressions of the special helmet plate very beautifully and clearly visible on the helmet. An entirely original and complete helmet in all parts, condition 2+.
Extremely rare, probably the finest helmet for Colonels in General's Position still in existence!

The helmet for Colonels in General's Position in this execution existed only in the Bavarian Army. It was introduced in 1886 and worn only until 1898. The helmet existed both with gilded fittings for Colonels in General's Position in an Infantry Regiment, as well as with silvered fittings for a Colonel in General's Position, for example, in the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment. Only very few original examples are known worldwide, including one in the Bayerisches Armeemuseum. Our helmet was already manufactured in vulcanized fiber and with Reich cockade, which was only introduced in 1897. It is therefore one of the last helmets manufactured.

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Bavarian Pickelhaube for Colonels in General's Position - in Luxury Quality!

The Bavarian Pickelhaube Model 1886 for Colonels in General Staff Positions represents one of the rarest and most exceptional pieces of equipment from the Imperial German Army. This helmet model embodies a brief but significant episode in Bavarian military history, closely connected to the Kingdom of Bavaria's integration into the German Empire.

The Kingdom of Bavaria was the last German state to adopt the Pickelhaube. Since the Napoleonic Wars, Bavaria had used its own helmet design called the Raupenhelm, a Tarleton helmet. Only in September 1886 was the Pickelhaube introduced for most of the Bavarian army. Previously, only the gendarmerie and the two heavy cavalry regiments wore spiked helmets similar to the Prussian pattern. Bavarian officers first wore the Pickelhaube on 1 April 1887, while the infantry, Jäger, and artillery enlisted men were gradually equipped with the Pickelhaube between 1887 and 1890.

The remarkable helmet emblem was modeled by Anton Pruska entirely according to the rules of heraldry. It features the Bavarian coat of arms with two beautifully crafted Bavarian lions with crowns holding the main oval shield, crowned with the large crown of the Bavarian royal house. Below the coat of arms appears the kingdom's motto: “In Treue Fest” (Steadfast in Loyalty). This emblem was by far the largest of all Imperial German helmet emblems.

The present helmet was manufactured from Vulcanfiber, an early form of plastic made from vulcanized fiber. The manufacturer Depaheg Patent specialized exclusively in producing Pickelhauben from Vulcan Fibre. The manufacturer's marking is blind-embossed on the sweatband above the quadriga. The helmet's interior features a brown leather sweatband and brown silk lining.

A particularly important dating feature is the Reichskokarde in red-white-black, which was introduced by a regulation dated 19 February 1897 for all Bavarian troops. It was worn on the right side of the helmet, while the state cockade was moved to the left side. This means the present helmet is among the last manufactured of this special type before production ceased in 1898.

The helmet for Colonels in General Staff Positions represented a highly specific rank category unique to the Bavarian contingent within the Imperial German Army. These officers were colonels holding positions on the general staff. The helmets existed in two variants: with gilt fittings for colonels in infantry regiments and with silver fittings for colonels in elite units such as the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment. The squared front visor and domed scale chin chains were characteristic features of this helmet type.

The period of use for this specific helmet type was remarkably brief. After its introduction in 1886, it was worn only until 1898, representing a usage period of merely twelve years. This explains the extraordinary rarity of these helmets today. Only very few original examples are known worldwide, including one in the Bavarian Army Museum (Bayerisches Armeemuseum).

While the Pickelhaube as a helmet type remained in use in the Imperial German Army until its replacement by the steel helmet in 1916, this special variant for colonels in general staff positions was discontinued as early as 1898. In 1892, a light brown cloth helmet cover (M1892 Überzug) became standard issue for maneuvers and active service. In October 1916, the color was changed to field grey, although by that date the plain metal Stahlhelm was already standard issue for most troops.

The Bavarian Pickelhaube existed in three different emblem patterns: the 1886/87 emblem, the M1896 emblem for enlisted men, and the 1914 emblem for officers and mounted troops. The present helmet, with its magnificent gilt execution and especially large, richly decorated helmet emblem on a gold sun background, represents the highest quality level of this already rare helmet variant and documents a brief but significant moment in the history of Bavarian military tradition within the German Empire.