Bavarian Infantry Officer

Mild_Turkey

Mild_Turkey

Active member
Hi all,

This recently came in and I’m quite content with it. It’s a Bavarian infantry officers Pickelhaube in a vulcanfiber construction produced by Depeheg. The lacquer finish has minimal crazing as is typical for these fiber shells and the Wappen still retains 95-97% of its original gilt. The seller and I actually never realized throughout the entire transaction that there was a Depeheg logo in the sweatband.

What I adore about this particular example though is how after examination, I truly think it’s a completely untouched example. Without removing the wappen the ghosting looks textbook, ghosting even exists behind the cockades, and there’s verdigris buildup in just the right places. In addition, I’ve never had this before on my helmets, but the stars look completely unmolested as the tarnish matches each star’s shape. On the literal flip side of this, ALL of the iron washers securing the stars are rusted into place.

As a student collector on a budget I cannot afford a shelf full of these helmets, so I take quality over quantity to its zenith. This is for sure to be a forever piece for me as I’ve always wanted a Bavarian officer ever since I was in grade school.

-Khoi Le
 

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The set also came with a cover, it’s a nice faded tan example with signs of its original feldgrau still visible inside.

Miraculously the celluloid piece inside the cup is only broken in one spot at the front, and the entire rear visor piece is still intact.
 

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Mild_Turkey said:
Hi all,

This recently came in and I’m quite content with it. It’s a Bavarian infantry officers Pickelhaube in a vulcanfiber construction produced by Depeheg. The lacquer finish has minimal crazing as is typical for these fiber shells and the Wappen still retains 95-97% of its original gilt. The seller and I actually never realized throughout the entire transaction that there was a Depeheg logo in the sweatband.

What I adore about this particular example though is how after examination, I truly think it’s a completely untouched example. Without removing the wappen the ghosting looks textbook, ghosting even exists behind the cockades, and there’s verdigris buildup in just the right places. In addition, I’ve never had this before on my helmets, but the stars look completely unmolested as the tarnish matches each star’s shape. On the literal flip side of this, ALL of the iron washers securing the stars are rusted into place.

As a student collector on a budget I cannot afford a shelf full of these helmets, so I take quality over quantity to its zenith. This is for sure to be a forever piece for me as I’ve always wanted a Bavarian officer ever since I was in grade school.

-Khoi Le
Click to expand...
That is one amazing find. Congratulations!
 
Mild_Turkey said:
Hi all,

This recently came in and I’m quite content with it. It’s a Bavarian infantry officers Pickelhaube in a vulcanfiber construction produced by Depeheg. The lacquer finish has minimal crazing as is typical for these fiber shells and the Wappen still retains 95-97% of its original gilt. The seller and I actually never realized throughout the entire transaction that there was a Depeheg logo in the sweatband.

What I adore about this particular example though is how after examination, I truly think it’s a completely untouched example. Without removing the wappen the ghosting looks textbook, ghosting even exists behind the cockades, and there’s verdigris buildup in just the right places. In addition, I’ve never had this before on my helmets, but the stars look completely unmolested as the tarnish matches each star’s shape. On the literal flip side of this, ALL of the iron washers securing the stars are rusted into place.

As a student collector on a budget I cannot afford a shelf full of these helmets, so I take quality over quantity to its zenith. This is for sure to be a forever piece for me as I’ve always wanted a Bavarian officer ever since I was in grade school.

-Khoi Le
Click to expand...
A very nice helmet for you .
Steve
 
Really a Great helmet...a keeper for sure.... 😍 😍

but as a beginner I would like to ask a question.....just to learn....
the Prussian cockade is definitely an officer's....with typical stamped circles in the central part....
I see that the Bavarian cockade is slightly different without this peculiarity....
Can I assume that the Bavarian cockades are identical for officers and troops?
and I apologize if this is a silly question.....in case forgive me :rolleyes:
Regards
Giorgio
 
giorgio said:
Really a Great helmet...a keeper for sure.... 😍 😍

but as a beginner I would like to ask a question.....just to learn....
the Prussian cockade is definitely an officer's....with typical stamped circles in the central part....
I see that the Bavarian cockade is slightly different without this peculiarity....
Can I assume that the Bavarian cockades are identical for officers and troops?
and I apologize if this is a silly question.....in case forgive me :rolleyes:
Regards
Giorgio
Click to expand...
Bavarian Pickelhauben have many exceptions and I am by no means well versed in them. From my understanding the Bavarian cockades have relatively many variations and this is one of them judging by the two piece design (the blue circle here is a separate piece). Some I’ve seen have the double portapee but not all.
 
Congratulations Khoi, this really is one beautiful helmet with almost perfect liner! Nice and clear pictures too. (y)
 
Mild_Turkey said:
Bavarian Pickelhauben have many exceptions and I am by no means well versed in them. From my understanding the Bavarian cockades have relatively many variations and this is one of them judging by the two piece design (the blue circle here is a separate piece). Some I’ve seen have the double portapee but not all.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind answer....I really appreciate... (y) :)
Giorgio
 
The Reich kokarde is the correct design always found on Prussian officer helmets. The Bavarian kokarde here is also the one typically used by that state for its officers. The white colour in some cases will look more like silver. This variation is also found on the Bavarian OR’s one piece stamped kokarden. Some are obviously painted white and blue while others look silver and blue. We have a kokarden section on the forum check it out. 😊 Last, congratulations on an excellent helmet.
 
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giorgio said:
Thanks for the kind answer....I really appreciate... (y) :)
Giorgio
Click to expand...
Giorgio, you can find the kokarden section Brian mentioned here:

Kokarden (Cockades)

The painted serrated disks worn on all pickelhauben which indicates the state that the wearer belongs to.
www.pickelhaubes.com www.pickelhaubes.com
It is a correct officer kokarde on Mild Turkey's helmet.
I have had several different examples too, on other Bavarian helmets, just like Brian stated, silver/blue, but also white/blue.

Regards, Coert.
 
coert65 said:
Giorgio, you can find the kokarden section Brian mentioned here:

Kokarden (Cockades)

The painted serrated disks worn on all pickelhauben which indicates the state that the wearer belongs to.
www.pickelhaubes.com www.pickelhaubes.com
It is a correct officer kokarde on Mild Turkey's helmet.
I have had several different examples too, on other Bavarian helmets, just like Brian stated, silver/blue, but also white/blue.

Regards, Coert.
Click to expand...
Really thanks Coert.... (y) :)
 
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