Howlingriffon
New member
Hello all. I am a complete novice to this area of collection and would like to request input before I make any decisions. Right now, I know just enough to get burned 
The dealer is asking for less than the marked price but my gut feeling is even that is too high. There is another shop in Dallas that I plan one visiting that seems very good from reviews. Between help received here and what inventory they have for comparison, I hope to start my collection soon.
I will post a photo and then comment on what I think I know. Please correct me and let me learn from you guys. In collecting I have found a lot of good advice written about what to look for, but usually no visual examples. What would help me is for example-"in picture A, the thingy should be .... not.... as like this item"
I hope that makes sense. OK, let's go...
I think that I'm looking at Baden Pickelhaube. Not sure which Regiment but fairly certain it is not the 109th as I believe that would have a starburst type overlay (don't know the technical term)
Close-up of the wappen. It appears uniformly dirty but the "dirt" seems odd. I think the chin strap may be original but it does look too thick from other photos that I've seen. Additionally, the edges seem less weathered than other exposed leather edging. The cockade rings are questionable as will be seen below
Both cockades are Prussian which would be wrong for both sides. Due to the look of consistent aging, I believe that they are replacements along with the chin strap but it was done a long time ago. There appears to be a lot of crazing but the only damage to the leather that I noted was under the cockade on the left side. The helmet shape looks good with a contoured fit on the spine. A little offset on the wappen but I think it is acceptable. Front visor is riveted and the rear stitched which would help identify it as a M91(??).
The spike and base look fine to me but I am curious about the rust on the spike. Is this normal? It looks like someone was a little too aggressive with steel wool at some point. I think the base, spine and visor edging are brass but the wappen and spike look to be the grey
The interior is my biggest unknown. The wappen appears to have both loops but I'm guessing that the shoe string isn't original
I originally thought the yellow stamp to be a fake but I'm not so sure now. It looks like the same style as another that I've seen pictures of. There two other splotches of white paint that I can't make out at all and didn't see any other obvious markings. Generally, I think it is in fairly good condition but, as I said, I really don't know what to look for.
well, hopefully I haven't wasted too much of your time. As always, any input is appreciated!
Stay safe,
Jason
The dealer is asking for less than the marked price but my gut feeling is even that is too high. There is another shop in Dallas that I plan one visiting that seems very good from reviews. Between help received here and what inventory they have for comparison, I hope to start my collection soon.
I will post a photo and then comment on what I think I know. Please correct me and let me learn from you guys. In collecting I have found a lot of good advice written about what to look for, but usually no visual examples. What would help me is for example-"in picture A, the thingy should be .... not.... as like this item"
I hope that makes sense. OK, let's go...
I think that I'm looking at Baden Pickelhaube. Not sure which Regiment but fairly certain it is not the 109th as I believe that would have a starburst type overlay (don't know the technical term)
Close-up of the wappen. It appears uniformly dirty but the "dirt" seems odd. I think the chin strap may be original but it does look too thick from other photos that I've seen. Additionally, the edges seem less weathered than other exposed leather edging. The cockade rings are questionable as will be seen below
Both cockades are Prussian which would be wrong for both sides. Due to the look of consistent aging, I believe that they are replacements along with the chin strap but it was done a long time ago. There appears to be a lot of crazing but the only damage to the leather that I noted was under the cockade on the left side. The helmet shape looks good with a contoured fit on the spine. A little offset on the wappen but I think it is acceptable. Front visor is riveted and the rear stitched which would help identify it as a M91(??).
The spike and base look fine to me but I am curious about the rust on the spike. Is this normal? It looks like someone was a little too aggressive with steel wool at some point. I think the base, spine and visor edging are brass but the wappen and spike look to be the grey
The interior is my biggest unknown. The wappen appears to have both loops but I'm guessing that the shoe string isn't original
I originally thought the yellow stamp to be a fake but I'm not so sure now. It looks like the same style as another that I've seen pictures of. There two other splotches of white paint that I can't make out at all and didn't see any other obvious markings. Generally, I think it is in fairly good condition but, as I said, I really don't know what to look for.
well, hopefully I haven't wasted too much of your time. As always, any input is appreciated!
Stay safe,
Jason
