Adler 1

Ooops... you forgot the experimental armour... Adler 1

If so, I would also invest in an air filter or so ... Adler 1

Thank you very much for your comments gentlemen! Actually I've been looking for one of these for several years and I must say they are not cheep, but isn't that always the case with something rare? The comparison you are making depends also on the car you have of course ... I think they must have been very effective for protection of the wearers face. Maybe it wouldn't hold a direct hit from bullets, but I'm pretty sure it would hold a lot of shrapnell and small debris that flies arround during combat. Of course the wearers sight would be narrowed down, but since his eyes would be so close to the slits in the visor, I can imagine that the sight woudn't be narrowed that much... We'll never know for sure because the helmet was never fieldtested and never saw action in the war... Adler 1

The US N°8 experimental helmet was Manufactured by the FORD MOTOR CO. in Brook Park, Ohio. The war department had requested submissions from various manufacturers for a new helmet when the US entered hostilities in Europe. Ford entered this design which was stamped out in the Ohio engine facility in November 1918. Only 1300 of these helmets were made, which were to be tested in combat, however because of the wars ending they were never used. According to the seller, this helmet was recently acquired from the family of a plant worker who had been involved in the design. The family had stored the helmet in a closet for many years. This must have contributed to the condition of the helmet... The helmet is complete down to the drawstring which is still tied in factory bundle. The leather tabs are complete with a small amount of dry cracking. Pads and pad ties are in place. Web chinstrap has some light surface rust to the rivets. Outer shell retains about 95% original cork finish. A part of the cork has been scraped of due to the pivoting visor, but I think that adds a bit to the sinister character of the helmet… Adler 1

Sure looks great! Adler 1

Thanks for your kind words gentlemen! Chris, maybe it is 3JR3K or so? I can't make it out eighter... Adler 1

Here ya go! Adler 1

A few months ago I went to the Wavre militaria show. I was actually very late and wasn’t expecting to find something that day. After a few coffees and a nice chat with the friends, I was finally making my first tour. Just a few minutes later, I discovered this haube and actually was very surprised that it still was sitting on the seller’s table. I suppose a lot of collectors must have disliked this one or maybe they just missed it… Anyway, after a little discussion about the price, I was very happy to take this little Bavarian to the bunker. This haube has some special features, which I actually like very much… Aaahh Ersatz! First of all, it’s named inside the front visor (with the typical purple pencil). Maybe not so super special, but for me this always adds a little extra character to a helmet… Obviously there are made some new holes in the helmet shell and the old ones are covered with a felt washer and grey rivets. The rivets appear to be the same as the ones they attached the front visor and the spike with. This is of course not standard… a logical explanation could be that the original holes were made for another helmet plate and that at one point the helmet was altered to fit the Bavarian plate. Everything fits so nice together and there is no indication to find that there was ever another plate on this helmet, so I can only assume that this was period done. These two little “horns” look just great and give this haube a special appearance in my humble opinion… Another important rarity is the non removable M15 spike. I also can’t give a logical explanation for this, but this variety does exist. Also a little bit non standard are the felt retainers that hold the helmet plate… normally they are made of leather… The chinstrap should normally have the grey fittings, but this is not the first time these don’t mach… I could change the strap, but then it certainly isn’t “as found” anymore… All in all a strange helmet, but I like it… Adler 1

Beautiful spikers! Adler 1

Thank you mr. Dante! Adler 1

Many thanks Rogi! Adler 1

That sure looks great! Adler 1

Thanks for your comments gentlemen! Ed, I never restore helmets, Always leave them in the "as found" condition. Of course it's not easy to find pickelhauben in this condition, but that also makes the hobby interesting of course... Adler 1

Thank you for your kind replies gentlemen! Actually only 3 regiments wore the black Haarbusch in combination with the Prussian line eagle: Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 25, Füsilier-Regiment Nr. 80 andFüsilier-Regiment Nr. 86. The Haarbusch was worn on parades and special occasions (wedding, funeral etc.). Adler 1

It's been a while since I've posted a pickelhaube, but here's another one. Nothing fancy, but nevertheless one that I like. It's a model 95 for a Reserve Infanterie Officer with a black Haarbusch. The helmet plate is without the bandeau, because the text is on the reserve cross, as it's supposed to be. It's made by the well known manufacturer Awes Marke and has size 57. Adler 1

Very nice tunics gentlemen! Adler 1

It's difficult and easy at the same time... Everything is wrong actually: the shape of all parts is wrong, colours are wrong, artificial aged components. Everything is also photographed at an odd angle and a lack of good description also point in the direction of a red flag. When you have seen and/or handeled a few originals, you can easily see the differences... Here's an original to compare: Baden pionier Officer... Just look at the shape of the dome, the spike, the chinscales. Just look at the details of the helmet plate. Just look at the finish of the helmet overall... I think you can notice the differences now? Adler 1

Both are fake... Adler 1

Nice hat and lady friends! Adler 1

I can believe that, it's a rare rifle, especially in the German version... Adler 1

I don't have the straight one, but here are some pics of my Mondragon snaildrum... The picture of the rifle isn't mine, but comes from the net somewhere... Adler 1

There are indeed a few differences... but what's wrong? - The chinstrap is sitting to low (maybe it's a replacement?). - The helmetplate seems to be positioned to high - The helmetplate isn't leveled right and therefore one of the (side) crowns is on the edge of the leather top. - The diamonds in the shield of the reserve cross are pointing down to the left, but normally they point down to the right. - The reserve cross is rather wide. - There are no vent holes. These aren't necessarily real problems in my opinion, but more like variations. The only thing I really don't like is the chinstrap that sits to low. I certainly would check for double holes and try to reposition the helmetplate. When it's impossible to improve that, it would also be a problem for me. I hope this can be of some help to you... Adler 1

Excellent beginning of 2014! Congratulations! Adler 1

Thanks for your replies gentlemen! The rifle with bayonet must be a studio prop I guess... Adler 1

Lovely helmet and cover! The cover looks like a rare variation... I've only seen a few of this model before... Adler 1