Description
Step into the rich heritage of Imperial Germany with this high-quality Bavaria Pickelhaube, crafted for a Reserve Officer of the esteemed Leib-Infanterie-Regiment—the Kingdom of Bavaria’s most elite infantry regiment. Founded in 1814 under the reign of Maximilian Joseph I, the Leib-Infanterie-Regiment held a distinguished position, serving as the ruler’s private guard and based in the capital city of Munich, assigned to the I. Bavarian Armeekorps.
The helmet boasts a lovely leather body, featuring a squared front visor, characteristic of all Bavarian Infanterie and Kavallerie pickelhauben. While displaying minor exterior blemishes such as cracking, they do not detract from its overall appeal. The crown has settled slightly due to the weight of the cruciform, a common occurrence for Bavarian helmets, particularly due to the size and weight of the cruciform.
A notable distinction of the Leib-Infanterie-Regiment’s pickelhaube lies in its silver-toned fittings, with the exception of the gold-toned Reserve Officer’s Cross. The silver-toned elements include the wappen, chin scales (flat, as per Infanterie regulations), cruciform, front/rear visor trims, officers’ stars, and an extraordinary extra-tall fluted spike. The spike, one of the tallest seen on any pickelhaube, rivals even those of the towering Saxon standards.
The helmet’s exterior displays the correct Bavarian and Reich’s kokarden, symbolizing its association with the Kingdom of Bavaria and the German Empire.
The interior reveals a well-worn brown leather sweatband, displaying a rich history of use, while the rust-toned silk liner bears signs of perspiration and hair oil from its wearer. The helmet’s size, 57 ½, is noted in pencil, indicating its large size. Helmets above size 56 are considered large, making this pickelhaube a particularly rare find.
Authentic and unaltered, this pleasing spiked helmet is offered at a bargain price, representing a remarkable piece of Bavarian military history. Embrace the legacy of the Leib-Infanterie-Regiment and the Kingdom of Bavaria with this exceptional consignment item.
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