Description
PRUSSIA – PICKELHAUBE – ONE YEAR VOLUNTEER – GARDE-DRAGONER-REGIMENT NR 2
War time example of a spiked helmet for a One Year Volunteer (OYV) who served in the 2 Garde-Dragoner-Regiment Kaiserin Alexandra von Rußland. This regiment was founded in 1860 and garrisoned in Berlin where it was attached to the Garde-Korps.
This spiked helmet was produced during WW I and is typical of a OYV helmet. The helmet has certain attributes of an officer helmet but still retains the Enlisted Man/NCO characteristics.
Men who enlisted under the OYV program enlisted for one year as opposed to the normal two years. Along with this they accepted responsibility for their housing and maintenance. Further they were responsible for all of their uniforms, headdress, and equipment other than rifle.
The condition of the spiked helmets exterior leather body is average as it does have some cracking. The front visor is squared as opposed to rounded as is correct for a Dragoner spike helmet.
The silver toned wappen has a Garde Star and an open or voided crown which makes it officer.
The brass chin scales are in good condition.
The top cruciform and spike are oxidized. Above the cruciform we see an officer pearl ring.
The kokarden we see officer and state kokarden on both sides.
The only item of this spike helmet that is NOT officer and thus meeting the criteria for a OYV (where at least one item of the helmet must be non-officer) is the Enlisted Man lugs instead of officer stars.
Inside the helmet we see a light brown leather sweat band. Attached to that we see a beige officer style silk liner. There are no double holes where the wappen is attached. Most of the correct hardware is present. I see a nut missing on a screw.
Overall a value priced, nice, war time Garde cavalry pickelhaube.
