Description
REUSS – PICKELHAUBE / SPIKED HELMET – OFFICER – INFANTERIE-REGIMENT NR 96- REUSS
Beautiful line officer’s helmet for the II Battalion of IR 96 from Reuss.
The Reuss battalion was founded in 1702 and initially garrisoned in Gera as part of VI Armee Korp. In 1898 there was an army restructuring and IR 96 became part of XI Armee Korp but remained in their garrison in Gera.
The black leather body of this spiked helmet is in excellent condition with no extra holes. The chin scales are flat as is appropriate for foot troops. It has a Reich Kokarde on the right and a beautiful Reuss Kokarde on the left.
The helmet plate is based on the Heraldic Eagle with “FUERST” on the triple curled motto banner and the REUSS coat of arms encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves on an eight pointed star covering the eagle’s chest.(There is no FWR monogram on the eagle’s chest.) This plate was authorized for wear on 20 Jun 1868. (Ref. AVB dtd 14 Juli 1868, Jahrgang 2, NR. 18, Pg 147-148, Para 179 dtd 20 Juni 1868 ) This eagle was worn on only 0.1% of the Imperial German Army in 1914 and is found in only one size.
The interior show some age and wear. The upgraded leather band to the liner has a decorative cloth ribbon and a maker’s mark. The silk liner has a small frayed area on the edge but otherwise is in excellent condition.
The typical selling price over the past few years for this helmet has been $5,99 5.00. We have priced it to sell.
This is a consignment item.