Pikelhelm: Strange World War I Helmet

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

During the First World War, the helmet, which had a peak, or pickelhm, on the top, was a distinctive feature, a visiting card of the German military. But what is this peak, and was it even needed from a practical point of view?

1. Where did the Germans have this type of helmet?

In fact, the prototype for it was the Russian model used since 1844. Strangely enough, Nicholas I himself was engaged in the development of the sample together with Lev Ivanovich Kisel, a court painter. To create this "masterpiece" we took a material that was not quite standard by our standards - leather of good density. The pike was made of metal.

As for the idea of creating this particular sample, it is based on a Russian cuirassier helmet and a helmet from the Middle Ages, which was widely used by knights in Russia, as well as in Asian countries.

The peak had no practical significance. It was a purely decorative element, which it has remained. If a soldier dressed in ceremonial uniforms, a sultan made of horsehair was attached to this shishak. The sultan differed in color depending on the troops. The cavalry and infantry had a black distinctive mark, the guards used white sultans, musicians, regardless of what kind of army they belonged to, red.

Such helmets were introduced into the troops in 1844, but they did not hold out there for very long. A year later, they began to be taken out of service, and there were reasons for this.

2. Why Pikelhelm is more associated with the Prussian army

Firstly, it was accepted into service in Prussia earlier than in Russia. But they learned about such a feature of the uniforms of German soldiers during the First World War, since they fought in such helmets with pikes.

In Germany, the Pickelhelm appeared at the suggestion of the Russians. Karl of Prussia in 1837 came to Russia on a friendly visit and as a gift from Nicholas I he received one of the samples of such a helmet. It is worth noting that at that time it was still in development and was not massively used.

Karl was deeply impressed by the gift. Returning to his home, the prince turned to Frederick William III, his father, to introduce something similar. But he did not agree to the adventure. After the death of the emperor, his brother Charles took the throne, and here the situation has already changed. Frederick Wilhelm IV supported his brother's initiative, and in 1842 the soldiers already had a pickelhelm. There was only one difference between him and the Russian version - the shape of the peak. For the Germans, it was pointed, and for the Russians, it was round.

In the First World War, helmets already had a slightly modified appearance. Another interesting fact - with an open lance, soldiers wore helmets only during the parade. The rest of the time, a cover was put on the top of the helmet.

None of the models, both German and our domestic, were practical. First of all, a lot of financial resources were spent on the manufacture of these helmets. The second reason is material. The skin needed special care, which was impossible to provide in the field. Therefore, in a short time, wet pickelhams, which dried naturally under the sun's rays, stratified, and their deformation occurred. Accordingly, they not only lost their aesthetic properties, but also practical ones. In Russia, they were abandoned for this very reason.