A Prussian Garde Du Corps officer’s spiked helmet, Model 1867, with double step front and rear "lobster tail" visors, trimmed in nickel silver. The helmet surmounted by a highly detailed representation of a spread-winged eagle in silvered finish with a gilt crown, mounted to the helmet on a cruciform base. Complete with national and state officer's large size cockades, and tombac chin scales. Worn only by two elite Imperial Cavalry units—the Garde du Corps and the Garde Cuirassier Regiment—this helmet sold at auction for $12,650 in 2008. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

The early Imperial German Empire took much pride in fashionable uniforms and headgear for its military, often choosing ornamental gear over more practical pieces. Brass helmets with colorful plumes, exotic bearskin and other exotic furs were made to create a sense of wealth and power. Grenadiers, or “grenade men,” wore high peaked hats to create a false sense of height and strike fear in the hearts of their opponents.

One of the more iconic pieces of German headgear is the “Pickelhaube.” A loose translation from German is pointed cap or hood. The helmet featured a spike at the top that was merely decorative and never intended for stabbing. Most spiked helmets had a black leather base, but there are a few with a metal base. The mounted cavalry, or cuirassiers, typically wore the metal-based helmets.

A Prussian Model 1842 reserve infantry officer’s spiked helmet, estimated value of $3,000-$5,000. Made of black leather with brass trim and spike and a Prussian eagle front plate. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

This 1881 pattern cavalry officer's dress spiked helmet has a planchet with an eagle and a banner in his beak that reads E. Pluribus Unum. Crossed swords and patriotic shield with German silver 6 surmounted on shield with arrows in left talon and olive twig in right talon. Complete with orange dyed horsehair plume, this helmet sold for $977.50 in 2006. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

The exact story of how this helmet came to be is unknown, but the most widely accepted version begins with a visit made by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1840–1858) of Prussia to Russian Czar Nicholas I (1825–1855) in 1842. King Friedrich took notice of a helmet prototype with a spike on top sitting on Czar Nicholas’s desk. When King Friedrich returned, he modified what he had seen and created a spiked helmet for his military. He was able to rapidly produce his spiked helmet two years before the Russians were able to introduce their version.

For the next 70 years, the spiked helmet became part of the standard dress for most German soldiers. During military parades, officers often had elaborate helmets and substituted horsehair plumes for their spikes.

A collector should keep in mind that the older, more detailed helmets are most desirable. This is due in part to their often one-of-a-kind nature and also due to the fact that they were more expensive to produce. The German military has always been known for its thriftiness, and this rang true with the spiked helmets that were produced later. The manufacturers replaced the brass chin scales with leather straps, and the brass fittings on the helmets became white metal. The original helmets were 38 millimeters in height and each successive generation of spiked helmets became smaller in scale.

A Bavarian field artillery officer’s helmet, estimated value of $700-$900. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

A Bavarian non-commissioned officer's Chevaulegers Regiment No. 1 spiked helmet, with silvered trim, front plate and fluted spike, realized $517.50 in auction in 20080. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

Polished metal spiked helmets command the most money. It is very important to make sure that the helmet has not been reassembled with spare parts, which was a very common practice. This will drastically reduce the value. As fakes and forgeries are becoming more prevalent in the market for militaria, the number of extremely well-done fake spiked helmets is ever increasing. Collectors can avoid getting a fake by doing research and purchasing from a reputable dealer or auction house.

The demise of the Pickelhaube came about during World War I with new developments in artillery and ballistics. The old spiked helmets could not withstand the penetrating power of modern shrapnel and bullets, so the German military began using steel helmets with camouflage as the only decoration. Functional need finally outweighed the desire for a fashionable military.

A Garde Artillery officer’s spiked helmet with brass chin scales, spike and imperial eagle planchet. The helmet came with its original hat case and sold for $3,450 at auction in 2008. (Photo courtesy of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio)

Dr. Wes Cowan is founder and owner of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. An internationally recognized expert in historic Americana, Wes stars in the PBS television series “History Detectives” and is a featured appraiser on “Antiques Roadshow.” He can be reached via email at info [at] historicamericana [dot] com.

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The years of the early Republic were the heyday for military display. Uniforms and headdress exhibited an extravagance and diversity that was undoubtedly more suited to socializing than skirmishing. This era ended in 1914, when modern warfare replaced brilliant color with camouflage. Today, collectors eagerly seek items of early military dress.

American Revolutionary War Era Tricorn Hat

The tricorn hat evolved primarily for functional reasons. Troops with flintlock muskets tended to knock each other’s wide brimmed hats off when they drilled in close formation, so they sewed the brims to the crown. Soon the three-cornered—or tricorn—hat became de rigueur. In time, the brims became both shorter and more rigid, often bound with worsted tape to further strengthen and support the edges.

Another popular military hat, half-moon in shape, was known as the “chapeau de bras.” The name, derived from the French words for hat (“chapeau”) and arm (“bras”), referring to the practice of carrying the hat under the arm when not being worn on the head. A more rigid form of the same hat was known simply as a “chapeau.” These hats were occasionally worn in the United States from side to side, but were usually worn fore and aft, with the front end cocked over one eye.

Baltimore Leather Tombstone Infantry Cap

In 1812 and 1815, the old ‘stovepipe” or “tar bucket” hats were replaced by the British “Belgic” or “Waterloo” hats. The Belgic hat was supposed to provide protection against sword blows and to give the wearer an impression of added height. The hat plates used on headgear of this type look a little like markers in a cemetery, and are, in fact, referred to by modern collectors as “tombstones.” It is curious to note that the United States Army adopted this British-style headgear in 1812; at the very time we were at war with Britain.

Painted Leather Light Dragoon Helmet

Crested, all-metal dragoon helmets were originally used by mounted troops. Designed to protect the head from saber strokes, they were based on a design first used in classical Roman days, and in modern times made famous by Napoleon’s Cuirassiers. The body of the helmet was patterned after the Tarleton helmet or “jockey cap,” while the crest itself was usually made of horsehair.

Boston Leather Bell Crown Shako

The word “shako” comes from a Magyar word for peaked cap. The military shako, was first used by Magyar (Hungarian) troops in Austria. In the United States, the Bell Crown Shako Cap, was in use between 1821 and 1832, and is recognizable for its distinctive shape: with the top wider than the base, and distinctly concave sides.

Military Chapeau With Fine Eagle Cockade

Cockades are decorative, shell-shaped crests on military hats, which denoted nationality. Spanish troops wore a red cockade and French troops wore a tricolor: red, white and blue. British soldiers wore a plain black cockade, as did the Americans during the colonial period. After the American Revolution, as a way of distinguishing themselves from the British, the Americans added a small eagle to the center of the cockade. Some of the plumes and pompoms found on military hats are unofficial. They were occasionally added by a style-conscious officer just to make a finer impression at the Sunday afternoon drill on the local village green.

Dr. Wes Cowan is founder and owner of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. An internationally recognized expert in historic Americana, Wes stars in the PBS television series “History Detectives” and is a featured appraiser on “Antiques Roadshow.” He can be reached via email at info [at] historicamericana [dot] com.

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Pictured is a World War II German model 1934 Police helmet. The helmet has double decals on either side. One decal is the German Eagle with swaztica in silver and black and wreath of silver and black surrounded in black with a silver colored border representing the German nation. The second decal is the Nazi party flag with swaztica on a white background surrounded by red with a black border this decal represents the Nazi party. The helmet is made of a medium grade steel not used in the combat helmets of the same type. Police helmets were painted black with a brown leather nine tongued liner and black leather chin strap. These helmets were worn by Police unit throughout Germany and the occuipied countries who were not involved in combat operations. The model 1934 helmet was made as a light weight alternative to the much heavier steel combat helmet. Many helmets are found in Antique Malls, Gun and Militaria shows and on line auctions. Experience is the best teacher to collecting these items but there are a few things to look for when deciding whether to buy and old helmet or not. Is it real or a reproduction? First of all if it is a German World War II helmet with a high price tag proceed with caution. Look carefully at the paint job inside and out, smell the helmet. If you smell paint put it down and walk away. No further descussion is needed. A helmet that is 60 plus years old should not smell like paint. If it has a decal check the edges of the decal with your finger. If you can feel the edge of the decal with your finger it is probably a reproduction decal to make the helmet more valuable. These decals were heated when originally placed on the helmet. Original decals are very thin and adhere to the roughness or smoothness of the helmet. If the decal appears thick and covers the texture of the steel then it is probably a fake. If the decal is painted do the smell check. You can also purchase a small battery powered black light to check the paint. If the paint refects or luminates in the black light the paint probably has a synthetic material in it which indicates it was made after World War II and therefore not original to the helmet. Smell the liner inside, if it smells musty like old leather that is a good thing. If it smells new then that’s what it is and not original to the helmet. Look for pry marks inside the helmet around the liner, mix matched or damaged rivets or screws. This might indicate someone as changed or replaced the liner. Maybe the helmet was brought back by a vet without the liner and the new owner wants to increase the value by adding a liner. You can not collect anything without good reference material. You can start with more inexpensive books and create your own library on whatever are your collecting interests . Books with a military interests in mind can be found on line and at some books store although usually very limited. Check used book stores for great deals on some of these books. On line www.idsabooks.com is a good start along with www.schifferbooks.com among others. After you have made your purchase use a damp soft cloth to wipe the inside and outside of the helmet down. Make sure not to get the helmet liner wet and insure the helmet dries and does not rust. A small amount of light oil can be used but it is best to keep this away from the decal which could damage it. Blackrock or other leather cleaner or preservative will work on the chin strap. If the helmet liner does not need these things do not use them. One of the biggest mistakes collectors make is trying to make the item better or newer looking than it is. Preserve and protect the item do not change it. If it has a little rust or wear and tear leave it alone. If you start changing or “improving” the item, the value starts going down fast. And it’s originality and desirablity as a collectable will suffer sometimes to the extreme. I have seen many expensive items reduced to 0 value by well meaning collectors. The retail value on the pictured German Police helmet is $350.00 to $450.00 When looking at these helmets or other collectables take your time and look over the item carefully. Do not be rushed into a purchase and beware of a person selling the item that knows nothing about it. By the same token beware of the good story that seems to accompany some items that people are selling. You will make mistakes it’s all part of that experience I mentioned earlier, get over them and move on. The rare find makes collecting a piece of our history all the more exciting and rewarding. Like my mother once said, “you could have worse hobbies” Thanks, Mom

During the First World War flight was in it’s infancy. Many people had only read about airplanes and the many new inventions relating to flight. New aviation inventions were develped by Germany, France Great Briton, Italy, Austria-Hungary Russia and the U.S. Airplanes at the begining of the war were used mainly for reconnaissance of the enemies supply lines and trench forifications. As the war progressed machine guns were added to airplanes as a defense against attack by other airplanes. These airplanes were made of wood frame with a stretched canvas cover. The pilot had a couple of instrument gauges for gas and altitude and not much else. The pilot’s position in the plane had no armor for his protection and no parachute. His seat was usually on top of the gas tank. The pilot usually worn leather pants, and coat with a scarf and a leather helmet padded with cork or other material to protect against the cold and a crash landing. The helmet shown here is a German World War One helmet made of cork and leather with dust goggles. The large ridge on the helmet’s crown and around the edge gives some added protection in the event of a crash landing. This helmet is valued at $1200 to $1600.00 and is considered rare by collectors. Many pilots were killed when their planes were shot down in flames and crashed having no way to escape from the burning plane. After the war many safety features like armor around the pilot’s seat and parachutes were developed and used due to the high loss of pilots during the First World War. It makes one wonder what made these young men volunteer for flight school and then enter into combat high over the trenches on a wing and a prayer.

The Italian Army wore the French Adrian helmet during World War I, eventually producing its own version known as the Model 1916. All that changed after Benito Mussolini came to power in 1925.

Mussolini introduced a new combat helmet in 1933 as part of his military modernization program. The new Model 1933 featured a deep, one-piece stamped nickel steel shell with an uncrimped rim, and provided good overall protection. Three rivets, which doubled as air vents, secured the metal liner band to the helmet. The liner was leather with eight full tongues, perforated for ventilation and tightened with a leather or cloth drawstring. The green leather chinstrap was secured with a steel buckle. The design was so successful that it remains in use today.

The Model 1933 helmet pictured here is chrome-plated. It was worn by Mussolini’s palace guard, which also carried chromed rifles and wore black uniforms.

This helmet gives new meaning to the term “chrome dome.”

I’ve been visiting Peter Oosterman’s site (www.m-1helmet.com) for a while because, in my opinion, it is the nicest looking militaria-related site on the web. When I heard he was publishing a book on M1 helmets, I was eager to purchase a copy. My expectations were high because the book cost $119.90 (including international postage), but it ended up being money well spent.

M1 Helmets is hard cover with nice binding, excellent quality paper, and top-notch printing. The layout and photography are exceptional. It is written in French and English and easy to follow with 319 pages.

The first half of the book provides details and history about the M1 helmet shell, liner, and components without being text heavy. The second half is called “museum” and features amazing examples of M1 headgear. Most of the helmets are well researched with excellent provenance. I value this book because it is a go to reference that consolidates details that have been discussed and published elsewhere. The museum portion of the book is a wonderful bonus in that you have multiple-view images of helmets most of us will never own in our collections. These are cream of the crop M1 helmets including camos, unit marks, and airborne configurations.

Overall the book is excellent, but I was disappointed the author only discussed fixed bale helmets and left out swivel bales. He also did not weigh in on the ongoing front seam / rear seam debate regarding when the changeover took place, etc. The author did an excellent job verifying contract dates for many other helmet features that I assumed he would have insight to provide for this. Hopefully, his book will be successful enough to merit a follow up that includes these missing subjects and more.

M1 Helmet of the WW2 US GI is available for purchase at www.m-1helmet.com.

Chris Hughes is a WorthPoint Worthologist specializing in 20th century militaria and the owner of Rally Point Militaria and Vietnam Uniform – Military Collectibles sites.