Der Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise, Page 4: Imperial German Headdress Nr 2: Kugelhelms, Tschapkas, Mutzes, Visor Caps, Cap Tallies, Shakos, covers for headdress as described on this page, and Wappens. Updated on  7 May 2008. Contact us : rittmeister@earthlink.net

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Imperial German Headdress Nr 1: Pickelhauben, Pickelhauben Covers and Chinstraps.

German spiked helmets (pickelhauben) and the other headdress of Imperial Germany are our specialty! We have some of the best sources in Germany and around the world. 99.9% of our helmets are personally selected by me during our frequent buying trips to Europe and throughout North America. As you will see, we concentrate on officer's-level, One-Year-Volunteers, NCO's, smaller states within the Empire, and the more elite regiments and formations in the German military. We tend not to offer the more common enlisted man's headdress from the larger Kingdoms, simply because they are far easier to find.  I prefer the "thrill" of the hunt for those items that are more difficult to track down. On each trip I look at HUNDREDS of helmets before I select the few good enough to bring back. Each helmet must score high in the areas of CONDITION. (Few are the areas of Imperial German Militaria where condition is more critical than Imperial German headdress). It also must rank high in AUTHENTICITY, before it makes its long journey back to the U.S. (While authenticity is important in all areas of collecting, it is essential when collecting pickelhauben and other forms of Imperial German headdress.) Many "put-together" helmets exist out there. What may have started out as a Prussian officer's or enlisted man's helmet can be turned into an officer's helmet from another state that is worth 20 times its starting price. If you are looking for the more common enlisted man's pickelhauben, partial helmets, or fixer-uppers, that is not what we do. If you are searching for the BEST IN HIGH-QUALITY PICKELHAUBEN AND OTHER IMPERIAL GERMAN HEADDRESS, please look closely at the helmets and other headgear offered below.

As you peruse our helmets and other forms of headdress, you will note the term "One-Year-Volunteer" (OYV). An OYV enlisted in the army under a different program from most recruits, whose terms were for two years. An OYV's term of enlistment was for one year, followed by two years in the reserves. Following completion of that term, he was often promoted to a Leutnant der Reserve. These young men came from upper middle class families. In return for the government accepting their enlistment as an OYV, the COMPLETE cost of outfitting and maintaining the individual was borne by his family. The German Army permitted a great deal of latitude in pickelhauben style when it came to non-issued helmets. An OYV was allowed to wear very high-quality headdress quite similar to that of an officer's. This was because he was expected to pay for whatever he wore, hence the flexibility! He was allowed to have many of an officer's helmet's details, but not all of them. For example, some of the primary differences between most officers' vs. enlisted men's/NCO's helmets were in the area of wappens, officer's stars, kokarden, and spikes. As you study an OYV helmet, you will find them very similar to many officers' helmets from the same regiment. An OYV helmet is actually quite scarce. As a variant it is quite desirable and collectible. They are, in my opinion, one of the best bargains (and one of the best kept secrets) on the market. They are a great value and, in terms of quality and collectibility, a true cut above an enlisted man's or an NCO's piece. Please consider some of these marvelous helmets, busbies, etc. when we offer them from time to time. I have come to appreciate and seek them out over the years. I recommend them to you as an excellent value with a very high level of quality (at considerably less expense). As a rule, I usually find they have been maintained in excellent condition. This is always a plus when we consider adding items to our respective collections.

Anhalt-Dessau

Miniature Headgear from Austria

04-221 AUSTRIAN MINIATURE GENERAL FORE & AFT HAT. This fore and aft hat is highly detailed, with a central device or wappen for the Austrian Army. It also has an intricate trim that extends from for to aft and goes up and over the top of the hat. At each end is what appears to be a button-like device. The hat is configured in full dress with the green feathers of a general. There is a white silk liner and a string that cinches up the liner. This is a striking piece of headgear. It is in mint condition. The hat measures 4" in length, 1 7/8" wide and stands 2 ½" tall. This was initially described as an Admirals Fore & Aft Hat. A sharp eyed reader in Connecticut documented to me that this was indeed Army and NOT Navy. The differences being that the Navy version did not have feathers and there was an anchor on the wappen. $425.00 .

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Baden

Bavaria

Free State of Frankfurt

Hesse-Darmstadt

04-348 ONE-YEAR-VOLUNTEER'S (OYV) KUGELHELM IN THE STORAGE CASE - HESSE-DARMSTADT. Pickelhauben and kugelhelm from the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt are very difficult to find. Actually many militaria items from this Grand Duchy are hard to lay one’s hands on. This week In our special presentation of helmets from Hesse, I am pleased to offer to you the single finest One-Year-Volunteer (OYV) helmet from ANY state that I ever offered. It is the finest partly due to its condition, but also because of the two regiments it represents. It is appropriate that Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartilleree-Regiment Nr 25, which was raised in 1790 and garrisoned at the capital of Darmstadt, and 2. Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartilleree-Regiment Nr 61, which was raised in 1899 and garrisoned at Darmstadt-Babenhausen, would have worn kugelhelms such as these. As we have discussed in the past, the One-Year-Volunteer program in Germany was quite unique. The normal enlistment period was for two years. The OYV program allowed men of the middle-class and less affluent noblemen to enter the army as One-Year-Volunteers. Under this program they were expected to pay for ALL of their army maintenance costs, just as an officer would. They were responsible for their housing, food, and all of the equipment they used, unlike enlisted men, who received their equipment from the army depot. Often after they had served their one year enlistment and 2 to 3 years in the reserves, they would be commissioned as officers. The differences in the quality and condition among the officers’, OYV’s, and enlisted men’s accouterments were huge. Since an OYV was expected to supply his own equipment he was allowed a great deal of flexibility in his headdress. Men in the OYV program were allowed to wear helmets that were nearly officer-like in appearance and detail, and certainly officer-like in caliber. This is the "secret" and the beauty of OYV pickelhauben and other forms of headdress. If you look at the wappen before you look at anything else on this helmet, you would assume that it was for an officer. Even the kokarden are officer-quality. They vary only slightly in their detail. To begin our actual description, you will be amazed at this helmet’s leather condition. It is beautifully formed. The surface has been well-protected from the elements over the years because of its officer-style storage case, which we will discuss a bit later. The leather of the body has a distinctive appearance compared to Prussian helmets and the helmets of most other states. Prussian helmets,( when they are in excellent condition) have a shine or high gloss finish (not as pronounced as fiberglass helmets but they do shine). This was the favored look by Prussia and most other states. The Hessian helmets sported a subdued, almost matte finish. I personally like the style and can spot a Hessian helmet just from the leather even before I see a wappen or kokarde. This is what was favored by the officers of Hesse and what their workshops produced. This allowed them to express their individuality. The wappen is truly magnificent with a open crown above the rampant lion who has a sword in his right paw. The lion is surrounded by a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. The entire wappen features a very handsome frosted gilt finish. If you look closely you will see the alternating rows of differing finishes that are a trademark of Hessian wappens. All of the furniture of the helmet is gilt. This extends to the chinscales (simply lovely), cruciform, kugel, etc. An interesting detail about Hessian helmets is that officers did not wear officer’s stars at the top of their helmets. A more conventional lug was used. Also the attachment of the rear spine is different from other officers’ helmets. Two lugs were employed in this arrangement as well. This helmet displays ALL of those details. Inside the helmet we see a very lightly-used leather sweatband and silk liner (another mark of the officer or OYV helmet as opposed to one that has been depot-issued). Peeking under the liner we see all original hardware. The helmet is a bit larger than usual and is marked a "57." As previously described, the original storage case accompanies this helmet. It is also in pleasing condition and is marked on the bottom to the firm that produced it in Darmstadt, Hesse’s capital. For a helmet that is nearly 100-years-old (I would date this to the period of 1900-1910), it is in glorious, near-mint condition. Helmets of this type and condition do not come around often. If there is a better example out there, I would like to see it! $8,995.00

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33-111 ENLISTED MAN’S MUTZE - ARTILLERIE - REGIMENT -ORIGINAL STORAGE BOX - HESSE-DARMSTADT. This is a privately-purchased, non depot-issued enlisted man’s mutze from a Hesse-Darmstadt Artillerie-Regiment. After the four Imperial German Kingdoms’ Armies (Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, and Württemberg), the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt had one of Germany’s largest military contingents. Among the many regiments they fielded were two artillery regiments: Großherzogl. Artilleriekorps. 1. Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 25, and 2. Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 61. [Interestingly, Großherzogl. Artilleriekorps. 1. Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 25 was one of the oldest German Army Artillerie-Regiments. Only one Prussian, one Saxon, and two Württemberg regiments were older]. Also, the regiment’s Inhaber was Prinz Heinrich von Preußen, Kaiser Wilhelm II’s younger brother.Our mutze is of the highest quality. It comes from the workshops of P. H. Lorz, located in the capital city of Darmstadt. They were the official providers to Hesse-Darmstadt’s Royal House and the Grand Duke. Both of the aforementioned regiments were garrisoned in Darmstadt, so a man from either regiment could have owned this mutze. The mutze’s basic body color is dark-blue. It sports a wide black trim band, measuring 1 1/8," accented above and below by thin bands of red piping. Another band of red piping encircles the mutze’s top. The German reich’s kokarde and Hesse-Darmstadt’s state kokarde both are firmly in place. The mutze’s exterior condition is very near mint. Inside the mutze is a very lightly-used leather sweatband. The leather is fresh and supple, with no sweat staining. A red silk liner is present. The maker’s name, P. H. Lorz, and address are embossed on it. A paper tag is in place advising that the mutze is a size 54 ½. The mutze is stored in a circular carton, which is why it has remained in such spectacular condition. Again, the manufacturer’s name appears on a label on the carton’s front. This is an amazing mutze, in stone-mint condition. The example cannot be upgraded. You will be very pleased with its condition. $995.00  

 

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Kaiserliche Marine & See-Battalion

13-390 NAVY OFFICER TROPENHELM - FOR AN ENGINEER. This week is the first time that we have offered the naval tropenhelm (tropical helmet). This example, offer an alternative of the headdress worn by naval officers in a tropical climate as opposed to the more customary visor caps (which themselves were issued in summer and winter-weight and color). The example we offer today is for a Navy (Marine) engineering officer. The exterior displays some soiling from the passage of time. The interior of the helmet again shows more age and wear, but is complete, nevertheless. This is a very scarce and difficult-to-find piece. It would make an excellent addition to any headdress or naval collection. $4,495.00. . .

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13-304 NAVY "FORE AND AFT" CAP AND DRESS SHOULDER BOARDS FOR A FREGATTENKAPITAN IN THE STORAGE BOX. This is a very fine example of a "fore & aft" cap (Zweeispitz) for an officer in the Kaiserliche Marine, along with his dress shoulder boards. This is the dress headdress for officers that would have been equivalent to a pickelhaube or busby, etc. for officers in the Army. The storage box is an unusual shape so it can hold the cap in the bottom, as well as the dress shoulder boards at the top. The exterior of the case has seen some extensive wear. It is in far less than perfect condition. However, it is this case that has protected the contents so well over the years. The "fore and aft" cap is in superb condition. All of the attachments and accouterments are in fine order. As we peek at the silk liner (which is also pristine), we see a gold embossed "P" displayed. On top of a specially designed platform in the case are the dress shoulder boards for a Fregattenkäpitan. This rank would be equivalent to a Commander in the U.S. Navy. This is a very handsome ensemble for you Navy collectors! $2,895.00

 

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13-529 RESERVE NAVY OFFICER FORE AND AFT CAP IN THE ORIGINAL STORAGE BOX. The fore and aft cap (Zweispitz) was the dress headdress for officers in the Kaiserliche Marine. These are never easy to come by. German naval reserve officers were more limited before WW I. Moreover, the Navy was a smaller service, with a lower number of officers. What I really like about this cap is its silk kokarde, the gilt intertwined rope, and the officer’s button with its reserve cross. The cap’s exterior is in excellent condition. As we examine the cap’s interior, we find that the leather sweatband and the silk liner are in equally fine condition. The fore and aft cap comes in its original storage box. The boxes are very difficult-to-find as well. This is a wonderful presentation, and a must for a Navy collection. $2,295.00

 

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13-435 ENLISTED SAILOR SUMMER MUTZE FOR THE S. M. S. BRESLAU. This is a summer mutze for an enlisted sailor serving aboard the S. M. S. Breslau. The summer mutze is seen far less often than the navy-blue winter mutze. The S. M. S. Breslau had an interesting history. She was a cruiser, built in 1911 as a part of the Magdeburg Cruiser Class. Once WW I began, she was one of two surface vessels in the Kaiserliche Marine that were turned over to the Turkish Navy. The vessels remained crewed by Germans but were under Turkish authority. The S. M. S. Breslau was renamed as the Midili. The mutze is lightweight and unlined. It is in very good condition overall. The cap tally is black silk with gold embossed lettering of the vessel’s name. It’s a great item for you Navy collectors. $695.00

 

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13-579 XRP ENLISTED SAILOR’S SUMMER MUTZE - 1. MARINE=FLIEGER-ABTEILUNG. This is a consignment item. It is a mutze used during the summer by an enlisted sailor assigned to the 1. Marine=Flieger=Abteilung. The mutze’s top cover is made of white cotton. Attached to that is a single enlisted kokarde. The unit’s cap tally is also attached. It is correctly tied off. The tally’s tails extended from the mutze down the sailor’s back. Please note the additional photos of the Mutze stand which will accompany this Mutze. It was custom designed by our master wood worker and was the prototype for the Mutze stands that we offer today. The size of this stand fits this Mutze perfectly and displays it in a most handsome manner. $1,195.00  

 

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Colonial & Tropical Helmets 

 

33-97 EAST ASIAN ARMY OFFICER TROPENHELM. This is an officer’s tropenhelm as worn in Germany’s Chinese colony. The tropenhelm is covered in brown cotton material. The helmet’s front boasts an utterly magnificent, colonial, gilt-toned wappen. It portrays the Hohenzollern Eagle with outspread wings. A S Crown appears over the eagle’s head. The eagle’s quality and detailing are astounding. A sewn-on cover on the helmet’s back extends well over the wearer’s neck and down his shoulder tops. This served to protect the wearer from sunburning his otherwise exposed neck to subtropical China’s harsh sun. Inside the tropenhelm is a finely-made leather sweatband, in excellent condition. The Berlin-located manufacturer’s name is embossed on the leather. Colonial tropenhelms are very difficult to find. They make an important addition to any type of collection, whether it is headdress, colonial, etc. Earlier this year we had a similar tropenhelm, only it was identified to a particular officer. We are quite pleased to find another example, after selling the first. Overall, its condition is excellent. $5,495.00  

 

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33-77 XES COLONIAL NAVY OFFICER’S PITH HELMET. This is a colonial naval officer’s pith helmet. Its exterior is white, with some soiling from age. It has the proper officer’s state and reich’s kokarden affixed. Between the two kokarden are crossed anchors. A thin leather chinstrap also comes across the front visor. Inside the helmet is a well-preserved leather sweatband. The manufacturer’s name is embossed on the band. Overall, the helmet is in very fine condition. $1,395.00  

 

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Oldenburg

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Prussia

33-08 EAST ASIAN NCO SHAKO IN FULL DRESS CONFIGURATION. This is an EXTREMELY rare shako! Although at first glance it might appear to be more common, certain key points really make it stand out. First and foremost is its condition. To say that it is excellent is an understatement. While the shako’s exterior is very fine, it is the interior that really makes a special statement. The first time I saw this I was overwhelmed by what I beheld. The basic material of the shako is an elegant feldgrau felt. The front and rear visors of the shako are of choice brown leather. The leather chinstrap is absolutely original to the shako in the fine, brown, prewar brass style. The wappen is a particularly interesting feature of this shako. It is gilt and in wonderful condition. It displays the typical Colonial Adler (Eagle)), which exhibits a fine patina. However, an even more unusual trait can be seen. If one looks closely, one can see that the Hohenzollern Crown has been removed. Not broken off, mind you, but neatly and inconspicuously removed. Why? At the end of WW I, in a silent tribute to the Kaiser and to mourn the passing of the monarchy, many men removed the crown from all sorts of items. I have seen flight badges with their crowns removed. This has been done so unobtrusively that without close examination, one might not even notice it had occurred. The shako’s field badge is in place. Rising above it is the most beautiful parade bush that I have ever seen for ANY shako. It is full, complete and in sterling condition. It flows beautifully down over the shako, setting it off magnificently. Inside, the shako is also in exquisite condition. A complete enlisted/NCO style inner liner is present. All of the leather tongues are extant. A leather thong is strung between the tongues that would have allowed sizing the shako to the necessary size for the wearer. Underneath the leather liner is a paper tag that identifies the wearer of the shako. The paper tag clearly reads, "Sergeant Marte Ostasiat. Feld-Lazarett." It seems our man was a Senior NCO in the military hospital in China! This hospital was not large. Only a few men of his position would have served in this capacity with the hospital. This rare piece of headdress fits in well with several other items we are offering for German troops who served in China. [These items appear on our COLONIAL MATERIALS MERCHANDISE PAGE (click here to view]. A rubber stamp mark appears beside the paper tag, but I am unable to decipher it. Most likely it is for the manufacturer. This probability, along with the ID tag and the lack of formal depot markings, mean this is probably a privately purchased shako. Whatever the case, it is a real prize! $8,895.00. . . .

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04-302 OFFICER KUGELHELM FOR A GARDE ARTILLERY REGIMENT -  PRUSSIA. I was attracted to this kugelhelm for two reasons. First, I am pleased to offer my first kugelhelm from a Prussian Garde regiment. Second, is its very fine condition. Helmets from Prussian Garde regiments are always hard-to-find. Only 4 regiments in the German army wore this helmet. The helmet’s leather body is in very fine condition. The leather is clean and supple with a fine finish. The wappen and all other furniture is gilt. All of it has an excellent patina. The Garde Star affixed to the wappen’s center is finely made, with no damage or chipping whatever. The interior of the helmet is every bit as clean. It has a complete leather sweatband in pleasing condition. The silk liner is also in good condition. There are no extra holes in front where the wappen attaches to the helmet. This is a hard-to-find Garde Regiment kugelhelm in well-above-average condition. $5,595.00. .

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04-255 2nd GARDE UHLAN REGIMENT TSCHAPKA FOR A ONE YEAR VOLUNTEER - PRUSSIA. We do not often offer Tschapkas worn by members of Uhlan (Ulanen) regiments. To be honest, I rarely find them in the condition I prefer. So many of them (even officer’s pieces) have seen very hard use. Family members and/or collectors have not cared for them over the years. This exceptional example is for a One Year Volunteer helmets often share many features of officer’s helmets. In this example the chinscales are of very high caliber, as is the wappen and the field badge. In the interior we see the officer-style silk liner, which we will not see in an enlisted man’s helmet which was depot issued by the government. Among all of the Prussian Ulanen regiments, four are especially sought-after when it comes to headgear. First are the three Garde regiments. Nr’s 1-3. The fourth desirable Ulanen regiment was Nr 13. The latter was a Hanoverian regiment that Prussia absorbed after the war of 1866. Hanover had sided with Austria, then paid the ultimate price by losing its independent status when that war went against them. The Hanoverian regiment had been founded in 1803, before the Prussian regiments. It had seen service against Napoleon at Waterloo and the Peninsula campaign. In 1899 Kaiser Wilhelm II authorized all former Hanoverian regiments with battle honors to use them again on the Prussian wappen of their headgear. This small gesture was well-received. It gave exclusivity to these regiments serving in the Prussian Army. Returning to our helmet of the week, we see a beautifully-done brass wappen with a silver-toned Garde Star in the center of the eagle’s chest. The chinscales and kokarden are present, as well as a very fine field badge. The leather of the helmet is mostly appealing. Our photos will show some minor cracking and one area of distress. The leather sweatband is complete, and well used. The silk liner is complete. It shows none of the customary tearing that we often see in liners that have been well used. There is some minor staining to the liner. Overall, this is a very well-priced tschapka to one of the most important Ulanen regiments in the German Army. $4,495.00

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33-03 OFFICER SHAKO FOR A LINE JÄGER-BATTALION - PRUSSIA. This is a perfectly lovely officer’s shako for a Prussian Line Jäger-Battalion. This shako would have been correct for Jäger-Battalion Nr’s 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, or 11. The body of the shako is in pristine condition with no faults whatsoever. The wappen is gilt in color. The matching chinscales really take one’s attention. The field badge is also an attention-getter with its silver embroidered center and contrasting trim. The single reich’s kokarde is present and of the highest quality and condition. The interior sports a beautifully conditioned and lightly-used WHITE leather sweatband bearing the name of the Berlin manufacturer and a gently used WHITE silk liner. We often see headdress of the royalty or nobility using white for the interior. Having said that, no markings are present to identify this to any individual. Material for Jäger-Battalions are always at a premium, especially in such pristine condition. You could spend years trying to find a better conditioned shako than this example. $5,295.00. . .

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04-284 OFFICER SHAKO FOR TELEGRAPH BATTALION Nr 1 - PRUSSIA. This is a first-rate example of an officer shako who would have been in Telegraph Battalion Nr 1. The key to this description is the Garde Star on the wappen. Only Telegraph Battalion Nr 1 carried this star. While it was not officially termed a Garde unit, it did have Garde status. It also was attached to the Garde Armee Corps units and provided communication services for Garde cavalry and infantry regiments within the Garde Army Corps. The shako is very high quality. The Garde Star and wappen are true works of art. Its enamel is first-rate and undamaged. The chinscales are of a light gold (almost like a rose gold). Although they display some age and patina, they are still quite lovely. The officer’s reich kokarde is present on the shako’s right side. Also extant is a very handsome officer’s field badge at the top of the shako. Inside the shako we see a leather sweatband, which reveals light age. The highest quality shakos usually displayed stitching high up around the circumference of their sweatbands, where the silk liner is stitched to the band. Not only does the sweatband present this stitching, but also displays, embossed in GOLD script, the words: "Marke Gardes du Corps." The fine silk liner in place exhibits average age. One small portion of the latter has pulled away from the sweatband, but this is not detractive in any way. This is a very desirable and RARE officer’s shako. $4,895.00

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03-81 GARDE du CORPS JEWELRY BOX. This is a jewelry box in the shape of an officer’s visor cap from the Regiment des Garde du Corps (GdC). [They were the Prussian Army’s leading cavalry regiment. When the Kaiser was out in public, a group of them always accompanied him. One generally saw an NCO in full-parade-gear (including the Hohenzollern Eagle-topped helmet), standing near the Kaiser, brandishing the emperor’s personal standard]. This charming jewelry box is faithful in detail to its larger counterpart. It sports a black visor, the wide, lower red trim band, and the narrow band of red piping encircling its top. The rest of the "cap" is white. The case’s top exhibits some soiling from age (it IS nearly 100-years-old). One kokarde is present. The spot for the second is filled by the button that opens the box.  Inside, the box’s bottom surface appears to be leather. The upper half sports a white silk liner, which has embossed on it in gold, "Zur Erinnerung an den Weltkrieg 1914 Gesetzl. Gesch." The box’s top (the cap’s cover) measures 2 1/2" in diameter. The entire box measures 1" in height. This is a marvelous little item. Only your imagination will limit what you can do with it! $550.00  

 

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33-13 OFFICER VISOR CAP FOR KÜRAßIER-REGIMENT Nr 2 - PRUSSIA. This is a most exceptional officer’s visor cap. As we get further into our description, you will better understand why this is such a rare bird. To begin, the cap represents Küraßier-Regiment Königin (Pommersches) Nr 2. This regiment was raised in 1717 and garrisoned at Pasewalk. Prior to WW I it was assigned to II. Armeekorps. Among the many Küraßier regiments, three regiments were considered the absolute elite. Being assigned to any Küraßier regiment was a major accomplishment. Assignment to the Garde-Küraßier-Regiment (similar) to the Regiment der Gardes du Corps, who wore massive Hohenzollern Eagles on their parade helmets), Leib-Küraßier-Regiment Großer Kurfürst (Schlesisches) Nr 1, or Küraßier-Regiment Königin (Pommersches) Nr 2 was assignment nirvana. Each of these three exclusive regiments had headdress distinctive from all other regiments. After Küraßier-Regiment Königin (Pommersches) Nr 2, came SIX line-küraßier regiments. A distinctive feature of any küraßier regiment was its metal helmet, complete with "lobstertail." Furthermore, küraßiers were considered to be heavy cavalry. They wore an armored breast plate from which the name was derived, the küraß. The visor cap features a red wide band around its mid-section. The cover is white with a single thin gold trim band at the top. The twin officer’s kokarden are present. Inside are the complete and fairly standard leather sweatband and silk liner, which both show some age and sweat staining. By now you are going back to the early part of this description and wondering, what is so unusual about this cap? All the officer caps that I have seen were made of wool. The lower part of this cap, including the wide, red band and the bottom narrow white strip, are indeed made of wool. However, the white cover is cotton twill! I have no explanation for this other than officer preference. As long as one wore regimental colors and details, maybe it did not matter whether the upper portion was made of the customary wool. As interesting as this particular feature is, the white top has sustained some major soiling. Perhaps the new owner will choose to undertake a cleaning. To me, it is part of the history of this particular visor cap. The cotton twill has reacted well to aging and the top is sound, just rather dirty. This is a great piece and would make a solid addition to any collection. Further research as shown us that visor caps that were made of this fabric were used as "riding caps." As they were a lighter weight than wool they were more comfortable during the warmer summer months. This is the first of this variety of cap that we have encountered.  $750.00 . . .

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33-04 RESERVE OFFICER VISOR CAP FOR THE GARDE-SCHÜTZEN-BATTALION - PRUSSIA. This week we offer a real treat, a reserve officer’s visor cap from the Garde-Schützen-Battalion. This unit was formed in 1814 and war-garrisoned at Berlin-Lichterfelde. Material from the Garde-Schutzen-Battalion is very rare and difficult to find. Aside from holding Garde status, this unit was elite. It was the only formation of its nature in the German Army. The cap is of prewar quality and manufacture. It is far different in configuration than most visor caps. The upper portion is much smaller than a more traditional cap. Also, as you will note, the visor is much smaller. It is a truly distinctive shape. The cover is a dark green with a wide black band. Three smaller red trim bands appear as well. The reich and reserve officer’s state kokarden are present. Two small moth nips show on the dark green cover’s side. Some moth tracking appears on the cover’s top. Inside is a complete, well-used, leather sweatband. The silk liner has a stain forward and is complete. Furthermore, the liner is embossed with the name Clemens Wagner, who was the Duke of Braunschweig’s uniform purveyor. Wagner was known for producing some of the finest uniforms in Germany. The firm’s superiority and attention to detail is certainly evident here. This is a great opportunity to purchase a fine visor cap from the Garde-Schützen-Battalion. $650.00. . .

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04-344 VISOR CAP AND BAD WEATHER COVER FOR A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER. This is a very unusual visor cap for you cap collectors. This is a cap that would have been used by a man who served in a Red Cross (Rote Kreuz) unit. The cap has a black visor and chinstrap. The wide band above the visor is feldgrau trimmed with narrow bands of red. Above that the top of the cap is white with a large Red Cross in the center. Directly below the Red Cross, which is on the feldgrau band, is a NCO-style reich kokarde. The exterior of the cap is in excellent condition. The white cover is a bit soiled (because) it IS white) and due to its age, but a careful cleanup would set it straight with no great difficulty. The interior of the cap is also in excellent condition. The leather sweatband is quite pleasing, as is the interior lining of the cap. The final touch on this cap, and something that makes this cap (which is already quite scarce) EXTRA-RARE is a matching foul weather cover adorned with the Red Cross insignia. It is complete, although the protecting material that was applied to the fabric is cracking from age. A Red Cross is also displayed in its center. This would represent this man as a non combatant, even when he was out in foul weather. Two snaps on the cover’s side secured it to the cap, when necessary. In all my years of collecting, I have had only one visor cap for Red Cross workers. I had never seen a cover for these caps before. This is a very rare pairing. You will NOT have to worry about seeing one of these in every collection! $895.00

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04-107 LEIB. HUSSAR REGIMENT Nr 2 MINIATURE MUTZE - PRUSSIA. When I first saw this mini-mutze, I was absolutely taken by it. It measures 5" in diameter across the top and 3 3/4" in diameter at the bottom where it would have been placed on the head. It is black with three bands of white trim. It features two kokarden in the front of the mutze with a small Totenkopf device between them. Inside, the mutze is ID’d to 2. Leib-Husaren=Reg. Königin Victoria von Preußen Nr 2(Prussian Life Hussar Regiment Nr 2). Hussar Regiment Nr 2, along with Regiments Nr 1 and 17, was one of the only three Hussar regiments to display the dreaded Totenkopf. The detail to this miniature mutze is amazing, even to the point of it having a silk liner and a leather sweat band! The body of the mutze is in excellent condition with no mothing. There is some slight separation to the liner but it is not detractive to the overall presentation. This a unique piece and would be an interesting addition to the collector who has an interest in a Hussar regiment or in unique headgear. $375.00

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33-92 NCO VISOR CAP - INFANTRY REGIMENT - PRUSSIA. This is an NCO’s visor cap from the Prussian infantry regiment. Its basic color is dark-blue. It has a wide red trim band measuring 1 3/4", and a thin band of red piping encircling the crown. The NCO’s kokarden for state and reich are present. The cap’s surface is in very good condition. One patch of mothing appears on the left side. (We show this in the photographs accompanying the description). Inside the cap is a well-used leather sweatband. Its liner is almost like oilskin. It is 100% complete and in very good condition. The cap is a good value for the money. $275.00  

 

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21-101 XRB FIREMAN HELMET - ZEPPELIN FACTORY. This is a consignment item. The Zeppelin factory was located in Friedrichshafen on Lake Konstanz near the Swiss border in Southwestern Germany. It was here that Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin built his factory, and where both early and wartime zeppelins were built. After the Graf’s death in 1917 and WW I’s end in 1918, it looked very unlikely that the factory would continue. Due to Hugo Eckener’s efforts, however, the factory survived. Soon, the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin were both built and placed in service. The factory in Friedrichshafen was quite large. It had sheds right on the lake for the early zeppelins. As the factory grew even larger and more modern, the threat of fires from hydrogen increased. [This was brought home dramatically in1937, when the Hindenburg burst into flames at Lakehurst, NJ]. A fire brigade was established for the safety and protection of the factory. This is a very rare helmet for a fireman who served at the Friedrichshafen factory. It is the classic German Fireman’s helmet, in painted black metal with a crest at the top. The exterior is flawless and in near mint condition. Inside, it displays a full and complete leather liner. The chinstrap for securing the helmet to the wearer’s head is present. On the back visor, stenciled in white, are the words "Lusftschiffbau Zeppelin A.G. Friedrichshafen." The helmet is marked as a size "56." This is a very rare item for the zeppelin collector. It dates from 1930 to 1935. It is a consignment piece. $2,995.00

 

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Headdress of Royalty

20-173 PERSONAL SHAKO OF KAISER WILHELM II - GENERALFELDMARSCHALL - NAVY SEE-BATTALION - IN FULL PARADE CONFIGURATION - COMPLETE WITH PARADE FEATHERS AND TWO STORAGE BOXES. Today we are offering perhaps the single most important artifact ever in the history of Der Rittmeister Militaria. In our day we have offered many fine articles of headdress, tunics, etc. from Germany’s royals. We even have offered several schirmutzen that once belonged to Kaiser Wilhelm II, but never anything quite like this! Today we are pleased and honored to present his Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm II’s original officer’s shako for the See-Battalion.
As you are well aware, the See-Battalion was attached to the Kaiserliche Marine, much as the U.S. Marine Corps is to the U. S. Navy and the British Royal Marines are to Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. The See-Battalion provided shipboard security for the German Imperial Navy’s larger vessels. They were also charged with providing security at many German embassies and consulates around the world. In China one entire battalion (Battalion Nr 3) was assigned as the embassy’s security force, and as additional military muscle to bolster the area’s other colonial troops. Our premiere offering today is the complete ensemble for the Kaiser’s See-Battalion shako.
The shako’s body consists of superb felt for the body portion, and fine leather for its top, as well as the front and rear visors. The See-Battalion's wappen is absolutely magnificent. It features an eagle with outspread wings. In the middle of its chest is a smaller Hohenzollern Eagle. Clasped in the larger eagle’s talons is an anchor base. Over its head sits a Hohenzollern Crown, with a royal stole streaming out from either side. The wappen is exquisitely frosted. All of its fire gilding remains intact. The shako boasts a glorious pair of chin scales. The final exterior detail is its field badge, handsomely crafted of silver bullion. It sports a red center signifying the Reich. The exterior’s condition is excellent. I believe most would agree with me. It is in mint-minus condition.
The back interior visor is green leather. The sweatband is ultra soft doeskin. It exhibits an extra band of stitching that one only sees on top-of-the-line headdress. (Naturally, one expects this from the Kaiser!) Its liner is made from superior quality silk. It has a much tighter weave than that one normally sees. Again, this was an expensive helmet option, but if you were the Kaiser, expenses be damned! Wilhelm II’s gold Cypher is embossed on the silk liner. The entire interior is in excellent condition, with just a hint of gentle wear. In all likelihood, it was worn very rarely during Wilhelm II’s reign (1888 to 1918).
Some manufacturer’s production markings seem to appear under the liner, as well as the size, "55 1/4." This is around the average hat/helmet size for the period.
Now let us turn to the helmet’s featherbush. The cock feathers are white, red, and black, representing Germany’s national colors. It differs from a Prussian general’s feathers, which are just black and white. This is because the See-Battalion was considered a national force rather than merely a Prussian unit. (The same held true for the Kaiserliche Marine). The very full cock feathers are attached to a special trichter, which slides in behind the field badge. The entire shako takes on an entirely different look when the parade feathers are attached. Accompanying the parade feathers is an officer’s regular horsehair bush. It is a very full and beautifully-shaped. Should you to want to attach the bush, you will need to dismount the feathers. This is because only one of these very special trichters is included. Personally, I cannot imagine why one would wish to do so. The bush comes with the ensemble, however. It will be yours to do with as you wish when you purchase it. Another part of the ensemble is the shako’s and parade feathers’ storage boxes. The shako’s box measures 9" x 11" x 8." The box front displays a special-added label that reads "Seebattalion." Immediately above the unit designation appears Wilhelm II’s similarly Hohenzollern-Crowned Cypher. The box is lined in white silk. The shako rests inside the box, along with the field badge and the extra, horsehair parade bush. Originally, a leather strap secured the top to the box. Only a remnant of the leather strap remains.
The last piece of the presentation is a special, cylindrically-shaped case, which houses the parade feathers when they are not in use. I have seen similar cases in the past, housing generals’ trichters and feathers. Such cases always are far larger and more ornate than boxes holding lower officers’ horsehair trichters. This one has openings on both ends to facilitate removing and replacing the bush. The ends are appropriately marked "Oben (top)" and "Unten (bottom)." The box stands 11 3/4" high. It is 6 3/4" in diameter at the base. Its side displays a similar label to that seen on the shako’s box, identifying it as Kaiser Wilhelm II’s property.
Again, we are extremely excited to share this with you. One often hears the term "museum piece" or "museum grade." This certainly applies here. Any collector fortunate enough to have this in his collection (as I do now), is the caretaker of a truly historic piece. I know many of you will flinch at its price. It is expensive, of that we have no doubt. In comparison, two or three years ago I was offered one of Wilhelm II’s feldgrau tunics and an army general pickelhaube. The price to me would have been €50,000. At today’s prices that would equal $74,000+! [Please allow sufficient time for the attached photographs to load. I believe you will find the wait well worth it]! $42,495.00  

 

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Saxony

04-256 OFFICER BUSBY FOR HUSSAR REGIMENT Nr 20 IN ORIGINAL STORAGE BOX - SAXONY. In the years that I have offered busbies from members of Hussar regiments, they have always been examples for enlisted men, one-year-volunteers, and NCO’s. Finding busbies in the condition that I require before I will offer them to you is always challenging. Because their outer surfaces are made from the hair of animals, if not given proper care, busbies deteriorate quickly. The bulk of the enlisted, one-year-volunteer, and NCO examples are made of bear fur. This superb Busby has a gorgeous otter fur exterior, which is so soft that it is difficult to stop stroking it! [In fact, my little feline princess Bala was very jealous when she saw the attention this busby was receiving]. The busby hails from the period of around 1910. This was the absolute height of headdress-making in Germany. Our example shows all of the detail for which this period was known. It represents Königl. Sächs 3. Husaren-Regiment Nr 20. The Kingdom of Saxony fielded a total of three Hussar regiments. Nr 18 was the oldest of the three regiments. It was founded in 1734. Regiment Nr 19 was founded in 1791. Regiment Nr 20 was founded in 1910. As Nr 20 was the last regiment founded, it had the fewest officers in its history compared to the two more senior regiments. Thus, an officer’s busby from Regiment Nr 20 is more difficult-to-find and more distinctive than the other two regiments. Both Regiment Nr ‘s 18 and 19 sported red kolpaks (the bag-like device that hangs over the left side of the busby) while Nr 20 featured a blue kolpak. The short length of time this regiment was in service (1910-1918), and the difference in the kolpak accounts for the scarcity of this beautiful piece. As previously mentioned, the otter fur is ultra soft. It is streaked brown, gray and black in color. The correct wappen is in place, as is a fine burnished gilt set of officer chinscales. The correct officer’s Kokarden for Saxony is present. A very handsome officer’s field badge is in place above the wappen. The interior is every bit as handsome as the exterior. The leather sweatband has seen use but is still in very good condition. It is 100% complete. The silk liners (a double affair) are fresh and crisp. If you wonder why this busby has survived history so well, it is obvious that the original owner and all of its additional caretakers gave it excellent care. They ensured that it stayed in its original storage case to delay the aging process. This is an amazing piece of headgear that would make an excellent addition to any collection. $9,995.00

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33-28 SHAKO FOR ENLISTED MAN IN LUFTSCHIFFER BATTALION Nr 4 - SAXONY. This is a wonderful shako for an enlisted man attached to Luftschiffer-Battalion Nr 4. In the initial creation of units prior to the outbreak of WW I, the Luftschiffer Battalions totaled FIVE. All were nominally Prussian, but two of the five Battalions had ONE Kompagnie from Saxony and Württemberg. The Saxon Kompagnie was Nr 3 in Battalion Nr 2, while the Württemberg Kompagnie was Nr 4 in Battalion Nr 4. Now, if you are reading this carefully, you should be asking "If he said the Saxon Battalion was Nr 3, then what is this for Battalion Nr 4 ?!?" That is a fair question. In 1912 Saxony was in the process of expanding their Luftschiffer operations. To that end, a cadre of men was detailed to Battalion Nr 4 (just to keep this straight, this is the Prussian/Württemberg Battalion) to train for future operations. Knowing how critical details can be in something like this, I have secured a copy of the Saxon Rangeliste for 1912. The information in this Rangeliste is actually from 23 December 1911, due to publication deadlines. It shows a single officer (Leutnant Fald=Bode) detailed to Metz, where a portion of Luftschiffer Battalion Nr 4 was garrisoned [the battalion was garrisoned at Mannheim-Metz]. Naturally, if this leutnant was in Metz, he would have had a number of enlisted men on duty. Thus, some of the mystery is explained. I have taken the time to explain, because this shako is marked "Luftschiff Btn. 4 1912." This troubled me as it would trouble you until I did the additional research and could match up the Metz/Battalion Nr 4/Leutnant Fald=Bode connection. Copies of this research along with some other research will be included with the shako for the enjoyment of the new owner. It is important that you realize the scarcity of this particular shako. As Saxony had one Kompagnie (and another Kompagnie in training before being activated) out of FIVE small battalions, you can sense the rarity of this piece. ANY Luftschiffer shako is a rare bird, and one from Saxony or Württemberg is extra special. Now that we have covered the history of these various battalions, let us turn to the description of this very rare piece. The body of the shako is in very pleasing condition. It does show some age and minor moth tracking but is solid. It shows what I refer to as "honest age." It has a fine, gilt, enlisted Saxon’s wappen. Above the Saxon wappen is a white field badge with a green center, as is correct. It h