Prussian Infantry Enlisted Tin Plate Pickelhaube Helmet

An example of the Eisenblech, or tin plate, Model 1895 pickelhaube that was introduced in 1914 to supplement the supply of leather helmets, which required more labor to produce. The helmet is a lacquered black metal shell with attached metal visors in front and back. The helmet has brass trim as well as a brass spike and brass wappen front plate, which uses the distinctive barrel lug on the reverse for attachment to the helmet as opposed to the standard attachment rings that were normally found on the back of the plate. The leather strip or metal pin that ran through the barrel on the interior of the helmet to hold the plate in position is missing, but easily replaced. The exterior of the helmet shell shows some wear to the painted lacquered surface, and there is a small dent in the right rear of the helmet, about 1 1/2 inches wide. The interior soft leather liner is present, intact and complete. The chin strap is a replacement.