827_Katie
Member
Good evening everyone, I hope you are all well! So recently, I have decided to dedicate some time to researching everything about the Pickelhaube, and have started a research project. The end goal of this is to present my information to the history club on campus, and encourage young historians to maybe consider collecting and possibly develop an interest towards the history of the Pickelhaube and other things related.
I was wondering if I could pose a question. The one part of the pickelhaube that I have always been curious about is the use of the spike. So, what is the spike’s purpose?
I have done some research on this already, and have gotten many different answers, so I wanted to see what pickelhaube collectors think about it. I do have a few theories, but I don’t have anything to back these up yet.
1. This first one I believe is most likely false, because of the way a cavalry charge is done. This theory states that the spike is meant to deflect saber blows to the head. But to find out if this is true or not, I would have to look more into how a cavalry charge is done, because I don’t have much knowledge on that.
2. This theory, which I believe is true, states that the spike is meant to provide a militaristic and barbaric look, and is also there to be used in parades, making it completely for looks. But that leads me to wonder if there was actually a practical purpose for the spike. It could have been used entirely for looks, but I just don’t know.
3. This may or may not be true, it is just a thought. This theory states that the spike is meant to help identify soldiers. During Napoleonic warfare, when more smoke was present when using artillery, the spike was used as a way to identify German soldiers from the French during the Franco-Prussian war. (Unlike during the First World War, where German soldiers had to take their spikes off to blend in and not give away their position.)
4. This I believe is most likely true, and that is that the spike was used to identify rank among soldiers/officers. I have read this in a couple articles and a few books, but there may also be more than one way the spike was used.
Sorry for the long spiel, but I just want to know what all of you think because it would be a great topic of discussion for my presentation. This project will also be a great way for me to learn more, because I still have so much I don’t understand, and I wish to fill in those gaps.
Thank you!
Katie
I was wondering if I could pose a question. The one part of the pickelhaube that I have always been curious about is the use of the spike. So, what is the spike’s purpose?
I have done some research on this already, and have gotten many different answers, so I wanted to see what pickelhaube collectors think about it. I do have a few theories, but I don’t have anything to back these up yet.
1. This first one I believe is most likely false, because of the way a cavalry charge is done. This theory states that the spike is meant to deflect saber blows to the head. But to find out if this is true or not, I would have to look more into how a cavalry charge is done, because I don’t have much knowledge on that.
2. This theory, which I believe is true, states that the spike is meant to provide a militaristic and barbaric look, and is also there to be used in parades, making it completely for looks. But that leads me to wonder if there was actually a practical purpose for the spike. It could have been used entirely for looks, but I just don’t know.
3. This may or may not be true, it is just a thought. This theory states that the spike is meant to help identify soldiers. During Napoleonic warfare, when more smoke was present when using artillery, the spike was used as a way to identify German soldiers from the French during the Franco-Prussian war. (Unlike during the First World War, where German soldiers had to take their spikes off to blend in and not give away their position.)
4. This I believe is most likely true, and that is that the spike was used to identify rank among soldiers/officers. I have read this in a couple articles and a few books, but there may also be more than one way the spike was used.
Sorry for the long spiel, but I just want to know what all of you think because it would be a great topic of discussion for my presentation. This project will also be a great way for me to learn more, because I still have so much I don’t understand, and I wish to fill in those gaps.
Thank you!
Katie