WW1 Officers Pickelhaube Cover

**AndyM35** · 05-10-2023, 10:01 AM

Unlike the regular enlisted man’s cover with hooks, this one has card inserts at either end which slipped over the front and rear peaks of the Pickelhaube for a firm fit. There is a DRP (Deutsches Reichs Patent) mark stamped with black ink in the front peak. This example has a taller section of cloth for the spike which I believe was to take into account the increase in height for the officers spike which after 1899 was increased to be 1 cm taller. This is the first one that I’ve added to my collection and I find them interesting as they are essentially the first official form of camo used by the German army during WW1.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-10-2023 10:01 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**MAP** · 05-13-2023, 03:15 AM

Your making me jealous Andy. Wonderful find. Congrats!

Fantastic photos as well. Your giving Greg a run for him money

**AndyM35** · 05-13-2023, 04:20 AM

by MAP

Your making me jealous Andy. Wonderful find. Congrats!

Fantastic photos as well. Your giving Greg a run for him money

Thanks Michael - appreciate it.

**Chopperman** · 05-13-2023, 02:26 PM

by MAP

Your making me jealous Andy. Wonderful find. Congrats!

Fantastic photos as well. Your giving Greg a run for him money

That almost sounds like a challenge.

BTW- Michael is right. Those are very well done photos.

**Chopperman** · 05-13-2023, 02:33 PM

by AndyM35

--- I find them interesting as they are essentially the first official form of camo used by the German army during WW1.

I had never considered that. I always just considered them a way to keep the dirt and mud off.

**TabsTabs1964** · 05-13-2023, 04:03 PM

Very nice andy
I wonder if the cover will fit any of the helmets in your collection?
If so, try placing it and taking a photo.

Regards
Santi

**AndyM35** · 05-13-2023, 09:59 PM

by Chopperman

I had never considered that. I always just considered them a way to keep the dirt and mud off.

Makes total sense Greg, but as these were heavily lacquered at the start of the war and adorned with lots of shiny brass, the emphasis was very much on helping them blend in with the surroundings. By 1915 you had helmets being issued with feldgrau painted and chemically coloured hardware, so the need was negated. Then late 1915 the first German helmets were tested and then issued in 1916, so they were really only around for a short period, however I’m sure there was a crossover period as it’s said that Pickelhaubes were still in use at the end of WW1 away from the front line.

**AndyM35** · 05-13-2023, 10:04 PM

by TABSTABS1964

Very nice andy
I wonder if the cover will fit any of the helmets in your collection?
If so, try placing it and taking a photo.

Regards
Santi

Thank you SantI!
I don’t own an officers helmet at the moment which is why the cloth for the spike looks a little too big on my example. Also, I think this cover is a little too small for the helmet that it’s currently sitting on which is a felt ersatz Pickelhaube. These types of covers were private purchase but I’m not sure if made to measure. I was informed by another collector recently that even though they were private purchase for officers, the general soldier could also purchase them as well if they were inclined to spend the money as they were said to be a much better fit then general issue.