Prussian Helmet

The Prussian helmet was called the pickelhaube in German. Allied soldiers dubbed it the lobster tail helmet because of the curvature in the back of the head. The Prussian helmet was made of a boiled leather structure and plated with a metal finish, gold and silver being for officers. These kinds of helmets were worn by Kaiser Wilhelm II and Otto Von Bismark. They were traditionally reserved for upper military branches, but also for firemen and police. Though it provided head protection, the Prussian helmet was more of a status symbol. Various finishes and decorations were displayed across the helmet, often denoting rank within the Prussian army. The design of the helmet was originally a Russian design which had horsehair plumed from the spike portion of the helmet. The spike is simply an adornment of the helmet. The spikes themselves became reduced over time. The distinctive Prussian helmet made the German imperial army recognizable by allied soldier since few other nations sported such a grandiose helmet. Other versions of the Prussian helmet included the Napoleonic raupenhelm which resembled the helmet, but instead of spikes there was a Mohawk trimming of feathers or felt material that lined vertically across the helmet. The kingdom of Bavaria would later adopt the raupenhelm. The Prussian helmet can be seen in South America and parts of Northern Europe today. By World War Two, the Prussian helmet was faded out in favor of simpler helmets that would give protection against mortar attacks.