Rare WWI Imperial German Prussian Guard Regimental Officer Candidate Pickelhaube

ARTIFACT: This is a rare circa World War I Imperial Germany Prussian Guard regimental officer candidate pickelhaube. The ornate front "wappen" (plate) is a crowned eagle bearing a banner reading "Mitt Gott Fur Koenig und Vaterland" ("With God for King and Fatherland"). The starburst medallion upon the eagle's breast reads "Suum Cuique" ("To each his own"). There are two side posts with cockades, one originally done in the Prussian colors of black and "white" (tarnished silver: when new, all the metal work on this would have appeared white as it was all frosted and chased silver plating on brass, aside from the gilt center of the Guard star), and one in the Imperial German colors of red (vermilion) "white" and black. The pickelhaube is sans spike but the rear spine is intact. There is a visor and neck guard but no chinstrap. There is a scallop-edged leather liner and a silk lining inside.

VINTAGE: Circa World War I.

SIZE: Approximate size 6-1/2 or 7 (no size tag); head opening is roughly 7-1/2" by 6".

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Leather shell with coated cloth liner; painted, enameled and gilt brass.

ATTACHMENT: None.

MARKINGS: None.

ITEM NOTES: This is from an Imperial Germany uniform and headgear collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-MH-MGEJX14 LAHGEX3/14 RET6/14

CONDITION: 6+ (Fine-Very Fine): The pickelhaube has some areas of light to moderate wear, buckling and abrasion; spike is not present.