Der Rittmeister Militaria, LLC. Imperial German Merchandise, Page 4: Imperial German Headdress Nr 2: Kugelhelms, Tschapkas, Busbies, Mützen, Visor Caps, Cap Tallies, Shakos, covers for headdress as described on this page, and Wappens. Updated on 2 September 2010.
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Anhalt-Dessau

Austria

Miniature Headgear

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

Artillerie (Spike and/or Kugelhelm)

Ulanen

33-170 OFFICER TSCHAPKA - ULANEN-REGIMENT Nr 1- BAVARIA. The Kingdom of Bavaria fielded two Ulanen-Regiments, 1. Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm II, König von Preußen and 2. Ulanen-Regiment König. They were both formed in 1863 and garrisoned at Bamberg and Ansbach, respectively. Both were attached to the II. Bavarian ArmeeKorps. I have not had the pleasure of sharing a Bavarian Tschapka with you before, and am pleased to do so today. I am especially pleased to present an officer’s example. This helmet was for an officer from 1. Ulanen-Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm II, König von Preußen. The helmet’s black leather body is in fine condition. Its few surface imperfections are minimal. All of the helmet’s furniture is gilt. [Please note that a 2. Ulanen-Regiment König’s helmet features silver furniture]. A fine, gilt, officer’s wappen with a massive open crown is present. It presents a very handsome set of convex gilt chin scales. An officer’s reich’s kokarde appears on the helmet’s right side. As is correct, no state kokarde is displayed on its left side, which is also true of Hussar’s busbies. Even helmets and busbies prior to 1897 only have one kokarde. Prior to 1897, the only difference is that the state kokarde appeared on the right, where it was replaced with the reich’s kokarde from 1897 onward. The correct red rabatte comes with the helmet, which makes it a particularly striking piece. The rabatte is an important tschapka accessory. It is wrapped around the mortar board’s base atop the helmet. The rabatte’s edge is wrapped in gold bullion. Farther down, the rabatte is wrapped in a silver bullion cord with blue chevrons similar to those on Bavarian shoulder boards. The helmet exterior’s final noteworthy piece is a blue-centered silver bullion field badge, which again confirms that the officer was Bavarian. (I particularly like the headdress details that confirm a man’s home state, whether they are wappens, kokarden, or field badges). Inside the helmet is a very lightly-used, leather sweatband. Attached to the sweatband is a rust-colored silk liner in fine condition. Under the silk liner, NO double holes appear where the wappen is attached. Furthermore, the original matching hardware is in place. Finally, the size, "55," is penciled onto the helmet. This is a very fine tschapka. It will make an excellent addition to any collection. $7,495.00

Schirmutze & Mütze

 

33-140 OFFICER VISOR CAP - 1. CHEVAULEGERS-REGIMENT - BAVARIA. This is an officer's visor cap from 1. Chevaulegers-Regiment Kaiser Nikolaus von Rußland. The regiment was formed in 1682 and garrisoned in Nurnberg. It was attached to the Bavarian III. ArmeeKorps. Chevaulegers were unique within the German Army. The Bavarian Army had a total of eight such regiments before WWI began. The cap has a green cover. It features a wide magenta band, measuring 1 1/2," with a single magenta piping band encircling the cover's top. The cap's front features the reich's kokarde and Bavaria's state kokarde. The cap's exterior is very pleasing.  Two very small moth nips appear on the magenta trim band in the area of the Bavarian officer's kokarde. Inside the cap is a complete, well used, leather sweatband, that shows signs of perspiration.  The cap's liner is made of light-blue silk. The München manufacturer's embossed stamp appears on the liner.  The inside of the visor is brown leather. This cap came to me from a very advanced collector's personal stash. He has advised me that the cap has all the indications of an early-war example from 1914/1915. It is a VERY hard-to-find visor cap from a very elite Bavarian cavalry regiment. $1,095.00

 

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33-117 OFFICER KOKARDE - VISOR CAP - BAVARIA. This is an officer’s kokarde, suitable for use on an officer’s schirmütze (visor cap). It has a silvered frame. In the center is a blue felt bull’s-eye, indicating it is Bavarian. The original prongs are present to mount it on a visor cap. It is most likely a wartime production. $50.00

 

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33-123 BAVARIAN OFFICIAL ZWEISPITZ KOKARDE. This is a kokarde for a Bavarian official’s Zweispitz. It is made of silk, and measures 2" in diameter. It has a light-blue inner circle and a white outer circle. The center sports a silver-toned Wittelsbach Crown. It features a pin that is inserted in the headdress and makes it look rather like a stickpin. It is in very fine condition. $95.00

 

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Braunschweig

 

Misc.

 

33-166 ENLISTED MAN WAPPEN - HUSAREN-REGIMENT Nr 17 - BRAUNSCHWEIG. We are offering an enlisted man’s complete pelzmütze (busby) from the Duchy of Braunschweig’s Husaren-Regiment Nr 17 elsewhere on our "JUST IN FROM GERMANY Merchandise Page." Both this regiment and her sister regiment, Braunschweig’s Infanterie-Regiment Nr 92, incorporated the Totenkopf on their respective headdresses. These two regiments, along with Prussia’s 1. Leib Husaren-Regiment Nr 1 and 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Königin Victoria von Preußen Nr 2, were the only four German Army units to employ the Totenkopf. For those of you who have no interest in a complete busby, today we are offering this enlisted man’s wappen. It is in almost near-mint condition. It displays a fine silver finish and measures 4" x 4." [The Braunschweig wappen is far smaller, and has a totally different style from the Prussian wappens. For example, a Prussian wappen measures 3" x 3."] As we examine our Braunschweig wappen’s reverse, we see that ALL four of its prongs are in place. We see frequently find that a wappen’s prongs, which were meant to be inserted into a busby or shako, have broken off. It is NOT the case with this fine wappen. It is in exemplary condition. $750.00

 

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33-126 STATE KOKARDE FOR AN OFFICER SCHIRMÜTZE - BRAUNSCHWEIG. This is an officer’s state kokarde suitable for use on a schirmütze (officer’s visor cap) from any of the Duchy of Braunschweig’s regiments. It was worn on a schirmütze’s front, along with the German Reich’s Kokarde. In most cases, officers also sported a small Totenkopf between the two kokarden. This difficult-to-find piece can help one complete a Braunschweig schirmütze. The clips on its reverse are in place. It is ready for installation. $125.00

 

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Free State of Frankfurt

 

Shako

 

Hesse-Darmstadt

Artillerie

 

04-348 OFFICER 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 I am pleased to offer to you a simply superb officer kugelhelm. This helmet is in astounding condition. It is also very rare because of the two regiments it represents. These two very proud regiments are 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.  To begin our 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 Hessen 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 an 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 Hessen wappens. All of the furniture of the helmet is gilt. This extends to the chinscales (simply lovely), cruciform, kugel, etc. An interesting detail about Hessen helmets is that officers did not wear officers 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. 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! When we first offered this helmet I was of the opinion that it was a One Year Volunteer. Jim Turinetti the co-author of Imperial German Headgear (1888-1914) Field Guide had a chat with me and advised that he has had a similar helmet for FORTY years. His helmet had the benefit of having a man's name written in it and some quick checking by our Rangliste expert Paul Chepruko (who does the wonderful CD's on Ranglistes that we offer) confirmed that the man in Jim's helmet was in fact an officer. The subtle differences in a One Year Volunteer helmet and an officer can sometimes be small and thus we can now safely say that this IS an officer kugelhelm and not a One Year Volunteer. This is a very rare helmet. How rare? Using statistics from his book, Jim advises me that there were never more than FIFTY-NINE officers in BOTH regiments at any one time. Few of these helmets have survived and the condition of our helmet makes it all the more rare. I really liked this helmet before and now I LOVE it. There is no change in price and this is the identical price that we offered it as a One Year Volunteer kugelhelm!  $8,995.00

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Schirmütze & Mütze

 

 

33-111 ENLISTED MAN MÜTZE - ARTILLERIE - REGIMENT - ORIGINAL STORAGE BOX - HESSE-DARMSTADT. This is a privately-purchased, non depot-issued enlisted man’s mütze 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 mütze 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 mütze. The mütze’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 mütze’s top. The German reich’s kokarde and Hesse-Darmstadt’s state kokarde both are firmly in place. The mütze’s exterior condition is very near mint. Inside the mütze 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 mütze is a size 54 ½. The mütze 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 mütze, 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

 

Shako

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Tropenhelm

 

13-390 NAVY OFFICER TROPENHELM - FOR AN ENGINEER. This week is the first time that we have offered the naval tropenhelm (tropical helmet).  The example we offer today is for a Navy (Marine) engineering officer. The helmet first  has a double silver bullion cord extending around the helmet.  In the center we see a Reich Kokarde. Across the front we also see a complete and original chinstrap. This helmet has a long neck extension. This helmet shows honest age but structurally it remains quite nice as aside from the soiling there are no problems to the material that covers the helmet. The top of the helmet will press down if you place a finger tip on it, but it pops right back up into place and stays in place with no hint of having been able to press it down.  The helmet appears to have been used on a daily basis but in spite of that it was cared for by the owner and those who have owned it over the years. The interior of the helmet again shows age and wear that is consistent with a helmet that has been used on a daily basis. One can see that the leather sweatband has seen normal use. Again, all of this relates to honest age and handling. On the leather sweat band we see the name of the shop that this helmet came from in Bremen. 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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Zweispitz

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 (Zweispitz) 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 (Lt. Col in the U. S. Army, U. S. Marines, and U. S. Air Force) 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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Schirmütze & Mütze

 

13-781 XRP NAVY OFFICER’S SCHIRMÜTZE. This is a consignment item. It is a naval officer’s schirmütze in wonderful condition. This is the winter version of the schirmütze, which has a navy-blue wool top. The cap’s summer version has a white cotton top. The cap sports a very handsome bullion cap badge. The bullion is finely-toned silver. The silver bullion cap badge is quite unusual. Typically, line officers (those serving at sea or other administrative roles) had gold badges. Silver represents speciality positions, which included the paymaster, pharmacist, werft (shipyard) inspector, or garrison administration. The badge’s center is a kokarde with a red center. The top of the bullion badge features the Hohenzollern Crown. The cap sports a wide black-velvet band that measures 1 3/4" in width. The cap’s visor is in very fine condition. Its chinstrap is attached to small, crowned naval buttons. It is pleasing to see a cap with the chinstrap. So many were either removed by the officers, or have vanished with time. This cap is complete and displays quite well. Inside, the cap is every bit as handsome as its exterior. First is a mint-condition black sweatband. The sweatband displays a small tag indicating that the cap is a size "54." Next is a 100% blue silk liner. Embossed in silver on that liner is the manufacturer’s name, "Aug. Geiger Dänische Str. 24 - Kiel." The cap, as I stated at the outset, is in extraordinary condition. Prices for Navy officer’s schirmützen have increased greatly in recent years. I have seen them offered (when you can even find one) at prices in the range of 2,500-3,000 Euro. If you have ever wanted one of these for your collection, this is the one for you. You could search for years and not be able to upgrade it. $3,495.00

 

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33-137 ENLISTED MAN NAVY MÜTZE - II. SEEFLIEGER=ABTEILUNG. This is a very high-quality enlisted man’s mütze from the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy). It is the dark-blue winter version rather than the white summer mütze. The man served in the aviation unit, II. Seeflieger=Abteilung. The mütze is in fine condition, overall. It shows one small moth nip on the cover’s top, as well as a hint of moth tracking. Attached around its circumference is a cap tally made of black silk. Embossed in silver on the tally’s front is II. Seeflieger=Abteilung II. The cap tally is properly tied to the mütze, which allows the two tails to hang down from the cap’s back. This gives it the name by which it is often referred a "Donald Duck" cap. A single reich’s kokarde appears above the tally, as is correct. The cap’s interior reveals it as a privately-purchased rather than a depot-issued mütze. We see a superior, slightly-used black leather sweatband. The sweatband displays its manufacturer’s name, "Aug. Geiger" and model name, "Taifun-Mütze!" It sports a blue silk liner, which once again displays the manufacturer’s name. The firm had offices in both Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. It is well-put-together mütze for a sailor assigned to an aviation unit. $1,495.00

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13-579 XRP ENLISTED SAILOR SUMMER MÜTZE - 1. MARINE=FLIEGER-ABTEILUNG. This is a consignment item. It is a mütze used during the summer by an enlisted sailor assigned to the 1. Marine=Flieger=Abteilung. The mütze’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 mütze down the sailor’s back. Please note the additional photos of the mütze stand which will accompany it.  It was custom-designed by our master wood worker and was the prototype for the mütze stands we offer today. The  stand fits the mütze perfectly and displays it in a most handsome manner. $1,495.00  

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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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Mecklenburg-Schwerin

 

Misc.

 

33-125 STATE KOKARDE FOR AN OFFICER SCHIRMÜTZE - MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN. This is an officer’s state kokarde suitable for use on a schirmütze (officer’s visor cap) from any of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin’s regiments. It was worn on a schirmütze’s front, along with the German Reich’s Kokarde. This difficult-to-find piece can help one complete a Mecklenburg-Schwerin schirmütze. The clips on its reverse are in place. It is ready for installation. $95.00

 

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Oldenburg

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Prussia

Artillerie

 

04-302 OFFICER KUGELHELM FOR GARDE-FUßARTILLERIE-REGIMENT -  PRUSSIA. I was attracted to this kugelhelm for three reasons. First, I am pleased to offer my first kugelhelm from a Prussian Garde-Regiment. Second, is its very fine condition. Third it is an extremely rare helmet. Helmets from Prussian Garde-Regiments are always hard-to-find. There were only four regiments in the Prussia that were Garde-Feldartillerie-Regiments. Even rarer was the Garde-Fußartillerie-Regiment (Garde-Foot-Artillery-Regiment). There was only ONE of these regiments ever created. This regiment was founded in 1865 and was garrisoned in Spandau where it was attached to the GardeKorps.  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 and the chinscales are flat which indicate that it is for a Garde-Fußartillerie-Regiment as opposed to a Garde-Artillerie-Regiment . All of the furniture 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 very hard-to-find Garde-Fußartillerie-Regiment kugelhelm in well-above-average condition. If you are seeking a very scarce helmet at a bargain price this is an excellent helmet for you. A noted collector, Jim Turinetti, pointed out to me that I had initially identified this as a Garde-Feldartillerie-Regiment kugelhelm. I regret this error and thank Jim for helping me properly identify this helmet as in fact being from the Garde-Fußartillerie-Regiment. The price remains unchanged and you will receive a far rarer kugelhelm!   $5,595.00. .

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33-130 IDENTIFIED M-1867 ENLISTED MAN KUGELHELM - PRUSSIA. This is an M-1867 enlisted man’s kugelhelm that was correct for one of the three following Feldartillerie-Regiments: Feldartillerie-Regiment Prinz August von Preußen (1.Litthauisches) Nr 1, 1. Pommersches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 2 (excluding Batterie Nr 1), or Feldartillerie-Regiment General Feldzeugmeister (1. Brandenburgisches) Nr 3 (excluding Batterie Nr 6). It is the earliest kugelhelm we have ever offered. FAR Nr 1 was founded in 1772. It was garrisoned at Gumbinnen-Insterburg, where it was attached to the I. ArmeeKorps. FAR Nr 2 was founded in 1808. It was garrisoned at Kolberg-Belgard, where it was assigned to the II. ArmeeKorps. FAR Nr 3 was founded in 1816. It was garrisoned at Brandenburg a. H., where it was attached to the III. ArmeeKorps. It is almost a certainty that the kugelhelm was used in the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War, in which all these regiments served. The helmet’s leather body is in very fine condition, especially when one considers it is 130-years-old. I have seen countless pickelhauben and kugelhelms produced during the 1900 to 1914 period that do not even approach the splendid condition of this helmet. All of its furniture is gilt. It boasts a marvelous set of chin scales. Please note the wappen, which is quite different from all other FAR wappens. The front, and especially the rear, visor is longer than those on M-1897 helmets. The shape is a bit different as well, although it remains close to what the helmets’ final incarnation. A single Prussian kokarde appears on the helmet’s right side. It is correct for the era. Inside the helmet is an absolutely complete leather interior. All of the tongues are present. The original sizing cord and all of the original hardware are attendant. A paper label identifies the owner as "Kanonier Wilke I." His waffen number (Nr 60) also appears on the tag. The rear visor displays the depot markings "9.B. I."  It is a charming early helmet that would make a fine addition to any collection and could contrast the differences in kugelhelms over a thirty-year-period. $3,995.00

 

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Ulanen

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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Jäger-Battalion, Telegraph-Battalion, & Colonial

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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Schirmütze,  Mütze, & Misc.

 

33-174 XES OFFICER SCHIRMÜTZE - REGIMENT der GARDE du CORPS - PRUSSIA. This is a consignment item. The Regiment der Garde du Corps (GdC) was the most elite regiment in the Prussian and German Armies. Any time that the Kaiser was in the field or at court, members of the regiment were near him. (He also had a special palace guard consisting of senior NCO’s dressed in 18^th century garb). Most photos of the Kaiser in the field will contain a GdC member brandishing the Kaiser Standard. It was a supreme honor to be posted to the regiment. All the regiment’s officers were of either royal or noble birth. If you look through a Rangliste, you will be hard pressed to find a GdC member who was not a "von!" Also, only the cream of the Army’s enlisted men and NCO’s was assigned to it. If you were in the GdC, you had arrived. In addition to its position, the GdC aside was a Küraßier-Regiment. Küraßiers were heavy cavalry. All Küraßiers wore a küraß (heavy body armor) that protected them from waist to neck. All Küraßiers also wore metal pickelhauben complete with extended rear visors to further protect their wearers from sword slashes. The GdC was superior to other Küraßier-Regiments, because it was the German Army’s supreme regiment. They wore massive crowned Hohenzollern Eagles on their metal helmets for dress occasions. On less-formal occasions, officers wore schirmützen (visor caps). Our offering is a fine example of a GdC officer’s schirmütze. The chap who originally owned this was a rakish fellow, a man of style. When you look at the cap head-on, you can see that its top sports a "saddle" effect rather than the normal straight-out aspect. Cavalry officers often affected this look. [In many cases they pulled out all of the crown’s stiffening, turning the cap into a "crusher" that could be rolled up and stuffed in one’s pocket. Manfred von Richthofen usually sported a crusher, making them famous]. Our example has a wide red trim band that measures 1 3/4." The cap’s top is white. In the front is the correct officer’s state and reich’s kokarden. A thin red trim band encircles the cap’s top. An excellent black front visor completes its exterior. Inside the cap is a gently-worn leather sweatband. The silk liner is made of fine, golden silk. Printed on the silk is an eagle standing atop the world. Below it is the manufacturer’s name (Hermann Werkmeister) and their address at Lange Straße 33, Detmold, the small Principality of Lippe-Detmold’s capital city. So, our dapper fellow was from either Lippe-Detmold’s royalty or nobility and was posted to the GdC. The cap is in excellent condition. $1,395.00

 

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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. It is important to know that Küraßier-Regiment Königin (Pommersches) Nr 2 had for its royal patron the Kaiserin Augusta Viktoria. She was Kaiserin of Germany and the Queen of Prussia. Her eldest son Kronprinz Wilhelm had involvement with the regiment as well as 1. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Nr 1.  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 MÜTZE - PRUSSIA. When I first saw this mini-mütze, 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 mütze with a small Totenkopf device between them. Inside, the mütze 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 mütze is amazing, even to the point of it having a silk liner and a leather sweat band! The body of the mütze 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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33-148 XWB VISOR CAP - PRUSSIA. This is a consignment item. First, this is more of a “crusher-style” visor cap. It has no stiffening in it, at the crown or around the edges where the sweatband would be. The cap’s body is feldgrau. A wide, light-green band, which measures 1 1/2,” encircles the cap’s base. A narrow, light-green piping band also encircles the cap’s top. Twin kokarden for the state and reich appear on the cap’s front. The short front visor is made of cloth rather than the more-typical celluloid.
Inside, the sweatband and liner are both made of cotton. Some very faint depot markings appear to be visible. A rectangular area is evident where a name tag may have been present, but it has been removed. A very small amount of moth tracking shows on the exterior of this “different” visor cap variation. It is in no way detractive to the overall presentation. $395.00

 

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33-158 NCO VISOR CAP - PRUSSIAN INFANTERIE-REGIMENT. This is a correct NCO’s visor cap from a Prussian infantry regiment. The basic cap’s body is dark-blue (dunkel-blau). It sports a short front visor and a wide red trim band measuring 1 1/4" in width. In the trim band’s center is a Prussian NCO’s Kokarde. Above that is the reich’s kokarde. At the cap’s top is a thin red piping band. The cap’s exterior reveals very light moth nips and moth tracking. I still rate the cap’s exterior at well-above-average condition. The interior boasts a nearly-mint leather sweatband and a gold silk liner. It would make a welcome addition to any collection. $350.00 

 

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33-184 PRE WORLD WAR I INFANTRY/CAVALRY OFFICER’S SCHIRMÜTZE - PRUSSIA. This is an officer’s schirmütze from the Prussian Infantry, and certain cavalry regiments. It is a pre WW I variety with a dunkel-blau cover. It has a black visor and a single wide red trim band, which measures 1 3/4" wide. A narrow red piping band encircles the cap’s top. Officer’s reich and state kokarden are in place at the cap’s front. The exterior fabric’s general condition is excellent. No mothing issues are visible. The visor is a bit loose from the cap and can be moved. It will display well, but it is important that you are aware of this feature. The interior displays a leather sweatband with heavy use. The cap’s liner is polished-cotton, not silk. The manufacturer’s name is marked on the liner. The cap will display quite attractively. It is bargain-priced to reflect the problem with the visor and the well-used interior. $275.00

 

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33-92 NCO VISOR CAP - INFANTERIE OR CAVALRY - PRUSSIA. This is an NCO’s visor cap from a Prussian infantry or calvary 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 schirmützen 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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20-262 OFFICER’S SCHIRMÜTZE - PRINZ/KRONPRINZ/KAISER WILHELM II. Before we begin the formal description of this wonderful schirmütze, let us confirm to whom we are referring as Prinz/Kronprinz Wilhelm. We mean Germany’s third Kaiser, Wilhelm II (1859-1941), prior to 15 June 1888. Our officer’s visor cap dates from approximately 1880 to 1888. During that period, Wilhelm I was Kaiser, his son Friedrich Wilhelm was Kronprinz, and Friedrich’s son Wilhelm was the Prinz. Wilhelm I died in Berlin on 9 March 1888 and his son became Kaiser Friedrich III. Friedrich III served as Kaiser for only ninety-nine days, during which his son Wilhelm was elevated to Kronprinz. After Friedrich III’s death, Wilhelm II was crowned as Kaiser. Germany had three Kaisers during 1888. [At that point, Germans had no reason to suspect that Wilhelm II would be Germany’s final Kaiser, or that the monarchy would be abolished in 1918 by Wilhelm’s abdication and exile to the Netherlands, where he would remain until his death in 1941]. At first glance, this is a fairly standard, pre 1897 Prussian infantry officer’s schirmütze. It sports Prussia’s single kokarde, and the very short black front visor typical of the period’s caps. The cap’s cover is made of the highest quality dark-blue wool. Its wide red trim band measures 1" in width. An excellent Prussian Officer’s Kokarde is centered on the red trim band. The cap’s top sports a narrow red piping band. The cap’s exterior is in excellent condition, considering its age. Inside the cap is a fine, brown leather sweatband. It is in near-mint condition and has seen little use. (Again this is especially pleasing since we are dealing with one hundred plus year-old leather). It displays a fine, gold silk liner. In the silk liner’s center is Prinz/Kronprinz Wilhelm’s gold, embossed, crowned cypher. The silk liner exhibits a small tear forward. Up inside the cap’s interior is a small piece of metal, which is the source of the silk’s damage. The metal is a part of the cap’s "folding system," which collapses so it takes less space. It is similar to the system used in top hats. (In Europe, this is referred to as a "Chapeau Claque"). Several years ago I offered a similar cap from Kaiser Wilhelm I. This is an unusual, early piece of Kaiser Wilhelm II memorabilia. It is in stunning condition and would make a welcome addition to any collection. $6,995.00

 

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20-225 AUSTRIAN GENERAL FORE/AFT CAP - CARTRIDGE BOX - SASH BELT - DELUXE STORAGE BOX - HERZOG ROBERT - WÜRTTEMBERG. This week we are offering one of the most impressive headdress items we ever have acquired. It is a bit different from what we have offered in the past. As we discuss its virtues, we believe you will see why we were so drawn to it. Our offering today is a most unusual and beautiful set of items, which once belonged to Herzog (Duke) Robert of Württemberg (1873–1947).Robert was Herzog (and Generalfeldmarschall) Albrecht of Württemberg’s younger brother. [Albrecht was a VERY able troop commander, one of three German royal generalfeldmarschalls commanding large numbers of troops in the field]. When Robert and Albrecht’s father died in 1917 (he had been the heir apparent to the Württemberg throne) Albrecht became Württemberg’s Crown Prince. Four years later in 1921, when Württemberg’s König Wilhelm II died, Albrecht became the Pretender to the Württemberg throne. Following Albrecht’s death in 1939, Robert was the Pretender until his death in 1947 (at the age of seventy-four). In 1900, Robert had married Maria Imaculada Erzherzogin von Österreich in Vienna. They had no children during their marriage. Robert first entered the army as a Sekoneleutnant à la Suite in 1891, when he was assigned to Ulanen-Regiment König Karl (1. Württembergisches) Nr 19. In 1900, he was promoted to Rittmeister in Dragoner-Regiment König (2. Württembergisches) Nr 26. In 1905, he was promoted to Major and Eskadronchef (Squadron Chief) on 2. Pommersches Ulanen-Regiment Nr 9's staff. He was promoted to Generalmajor à la Suite of Dragoner-Regiment König (2. Württembergisches) Nr 26 and 2. Pommersches Ulanen-Regiment Nr 9 in 1913. During WW I, he served as Kommandeur of 26 (1. Kgl. Württembergisches) Kavallerie Brigade. In the latter role he commanded four Württemberg cavalry regiments, and served as a generalmajor. In retirement, he was elevated to the position of Generalleutnant a.D. in the German Army.

HOWEVER. . .

He had an equivalent position (Feldmarschallleutnant) in the Austrian Army due to Austria’s longstanding ties with his native Württemberg AND his marriage to an Austrian royal. Austria’s Kaiser Karl promoted him to this rank early in 1918. The rank had been used by Prussia until early in the 19^th Century. They dropped it during the Napoleonic Wars. Austria continued its use until Kaiser Karl abdicated his throne in 1918, following WWI’s end. In many cases, a Feldmarschallleutnant was a division commander or staff officer. It was the 4^th highest level for a general officer in the Austrian Army.

Austrian General’s Fore & Aft Cap

This sets the stage for the first piece from Württemberg’s Herzog Robert’s stunning group. It is an Austrian General’s Fore and Aft Cap. In the German Navy, such a cap is called a Zweispitz (Two Peaks). The cap is fur-covered (black) with embroidered gold bullion lavishly applied over much of its surface from tip to tip. A strip of the embroidered bullion comes over from the opposite side and boasts a fine, gilt-toned button on its left side. The button has black thread wrapped around it, and serves as a stabilization device to hold the general’s plume snugly atop the cap. (It is a very clever device). Each end of the zweispitz sports a large circular embroidered bullion device, with five levels of braided rope bullion elevating upward. The device’s center features a "K" for Kaiser Karl, who assumed the Austrian throne after Kaiser Franz Josef’s death in 1916. Inside the fore and aft is a superb white leather sweatband and a white silk liner. Both are certain indications of royalty. Embossed on the white silk liner is a crowned "R." I have saved the best for last with this magnificent headdress. A staggeringly glorious cascade of green feathers flows down from the zweispitz’s top to cover the cap in its entirety. I have had a miniature zweispitz for years. I had no idea that it would be as striking as it is on a full-sized example. As a matter of fact, the person who buys the full-sized example will receive the miniature with our compliments! The condition of this spectacular general’s for and aft is very near mint. I would like to share one final detail of the cap with you. A silk device accompanies the cap. It is stretched over the cap’s two ends to protect the magnificent gold bullion of the Kaiser Karl device. Somebody went the extra mile to protect this item of royal headdress. Please have a look at it in the accompanying photographs. The fore and aft cap was probably NOT used very often by Herzog Robert. It has been housed in its case for decades just waiting for YOU!

Austrian Officer’s Belt/Sash

This is an Austrian Officer sash/belt. It would havee been suitable for a blue or Feldgrau uniform.  While I am quite used to seeing Prussia’s various belts and sashes, this example blows away its German counterparts. It is far more ornate and detailed, which sparked my initial presumption that it was intended for a general officer rather than one of lower rank. The belt is made of an extremely heavy, pliable silk or silk blend. Its color is a rich, dark yellow. The fabric is originally 2 5/8" wide, and its entire length is decorated with four parallel rows of embroidered black hash marks. To create the belt, the fabric has been folded in half, leaving a double row of the black marks on either side. Its brass sizing buckle is decorated with a gold-toned, crowned, double-headed Austrian Eagle and Kaiser Franz Josef’s cypher. Hanging down from the belt’s end are two large tassels that I often compare to"oversized portopees." Each measures 11 1/2" in length from their attachment point to the very bottom. At the top in high-relief yellow bullion we again see Franz Josef’s cypher. The opposite side sports another two-headed Austrian Eagle, this time in high-relief. Below that are the black and yellow thread ringlets that make up the tassel’s body. The condition of this belt/sash is excellent plus. Its overall appearance is incredibly sumptuous and gloriously Imperial.

Austrian Officer Cartridge Box

This is a very handsome cartridge box, appropriate for an officer. It is ornately detailed and measures 6" x 4." The front cover displays a lovely mirrored finish, enhanced by its curved brass frame. The cover’s center is adorned with a magnificent, brass, double-headed Austrian Eagle, measuring 2 3/4" x 3." The sides of the box that flank the lid appear to be made of silver. They certainly look like silver. On those two sides we see an ornate montage of swords, horns, cannons, and cannon balls. The box’s reverse and its bottom are covered by luxurious, hand tooled, red Moroccan leather. Opening the cartridge box, we see the red Moroccan leather continues on the inside surfaces. All of the exterior attachments and tabs are present. The cartridge box has seen little or no use, which is consistent with the other ensemble pieces. This is a delightful and beautifully crafted piece, in top condition.

Deluxe Storage Case for all items

The final part of this presentation is the storage case that has housed all of these items for some ninety years. I have NEVER seen a case quite like this. I have seen special storage cases for general’s helmets and accouterments from Imperial Germany, but never one so large and extensive as this. It was intended to house many pieces of regalia that Duke Robert of Württemberg may have once owned and worn on the few occasions when he was garbed as an Austrian general. The case’s interior had plenty of space to house much more than the three items we described above.
The case’s shape basically conforms to what would be required to hold the fore and aft cap. The case measures 14" x 9 1/2" x 11 1/2."  When fully loaded, the case weighs 10 lbs., and10 ounces. The case’s exterior is covered with a beige canvas-like material. It features many straps and buckles (all of which are present) and a central lock. I am very pleased to say that the key for this lock hangs on a string right beside the lock. Too often the key is the first thing to disappear. This time, however, it is safe with the case. The case opens in a most interesting manner. The entire front folds down. This allows access to the compartment where the fore and aft cap is housed. When folded down, the lid has three horizontal storage areas and two vertical. One can only imagine what else may have been stored in the case at some point, aside from the fore and aft cap, the sash/belt, and the cartridge box. I would certainly not be surprised if his shoulder boards and/or epaulettes were stored in it. The case’s lining is a very handsome red silk. The case in itself is a major prize. I have spent time fiddling with it and admiring the ingenuity of the manufacturer. Somebody clearly took time designing this case before they lifted the first tool to actually make it! In conclusion we are very pleased to offer this very rare grouping of items to you today. When it was first shown to me, I was entranced just by the storage case. I had to hold my breath when the case was opened and its contents revealed. Items from Germany’s royalty are never easy to acquire. Do not forget the complimentary miniature general’s fore and aft cap that we will include with the grouping for your further enjoyment. Although it is not original to the group, it will add a little zest to your enjoyment. This was a real "catch" for us. We hope that you enjoy looking at it as much as we have had presenting it to you. $9,995.00

 

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Saxony

Husaren

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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Ulanen

 

33-159 ENLISTED MAN TSCHAPKA - ULANEN-REGIMENT - SAXONY. We seldom have the opportunity to offer Ulanen-Regiment tschapkas. Saxon examples tend to be rarer. Saxony fielded only three Ulanen-Regiments, which was a far smaller number than Prussia. Prussia had nineteen of the prewar Ulanen-Regiments (including two formerly Hanoverian regiments), while two hailed from Württemberg and three from Saxony. The three Saxon regiments were Königs. Sächs. 1. Ulanen-Regiment Nr 17 Kaiser Franz Joseph von Österreich. König von Ungaren, Königl. Sächs. 2. Ulanen-Regiment Nr 18, and Königl. Sächs. 3. Ulanen-Regiment Nr 21 Kaiser Wilhelm II, König von Preußen. The tschapka’s wappen reveals that our example was correct for the two earliest Saxon Ulanen-Regiments. Its leather body is nearly flawless. A great variety of officers’ helmets do not display such a fine leather body. It is simply superb. The wappen features a gold sunburst and a silver Saxon Coat-of-Arms in its center. [For your information, helmets from Königl. Sächs. 3. Ulanen-Regiment Nr 21 Kaiser Wilhelm II, König von Preußen display wappens with the opposite color scheme. The helmets sport a silver sunburst and a gilt coat-of-arms]. The helmet also features gilt-toned chin scales and gilt trim on the rounded front visor. A correct, single, reich’s kokarde appears on the helmet’s right side. The helmet’s mortarboard has the correct, white and green Saxon field badge attached to its top. No depot markings show inside the helmet, so this was a privately-purchased piece. A full and complete leather liner is present. The liner’s multiple tongues are looped together with a sizing cord that the man could adjust as necessary. Stamped in black under the liner is the number "11981." It makes no sense to me, but might be a museum control number. The helmet has been lovingly cared-for and is in near-mint condition, overall. You will search for a long time to find a tschapka as appealing as this one. $3,795.00

 

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Artillerie

 

04-568 FIELD ARTILLERY OFFICER KUGELHELM - SAXONY. This is a first-rate, field artillery officer kugelhelm from the Kingdom of Saxony. Saxony had a strong contingent of Feld-Artillerie-Regiments, totaling eight. They consisted of Königl. Sächs. 1. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 12 (founded in 1620), Königl. Sächs. 2. Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr 28 (founded in 1872), Königl. Sächs. 3. Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr 32 (founded in 1889), Königl. Sächs 4. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 48 (founded in 1899), Königl. Sächs. 5. Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr 64 (founded in 1901), Königl Sächs. 6. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 68 (founded in 1899), Königl. Sächs. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 77 (founded in 1899), and Königl. Sächs. Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr 78 (founded in 1901). These eight formed the prewar Saxon regiments, before 1914's big build-up prior to WW I. The helmet’s leather body is quite pleasing. A patch appears on the helmet’s left reverse, where it looks like a repair was made. A patch or two also appear near the reich’s kokarde. Nevertheless, the leather body remains very handsome. The visor is squared. The bulk of the furniture is gilt, with the exception of the silver Saxon Coat-of-Arms, which is superimposed over a gilt sunburst. As it was the Saxon custom for infantry helmets to sport VERY high spikes, the helmet displays a particularly tall kugel (ball). The state and reich’s kokarden are of the wonderful Saxon, Württemberg, Baden, and Hessian style, which differ from other states. Interestingly, some officers employed a Saxon-style state kokarde with a Prussian-style reich’s kokarde. Such is not the case with today’s helmet, as this man was Saxon all-the-way. The interior reveals a lovely leather sweatband. It is gently used, and features a high-stitched design at the sweatband’s top. This always adds a touch of class to a helmet. Personally, I like it very much. The manufacturer’s imprint appears on the sweatband’s right side. A creme colored or beige silk liner is attached to the sweatband. It shows substantial use, with some shredding and sweat stains. It is fully complete and intact, which is a big plus. Inside the helmet, we see NO evidence of double holes. Furthermore, a blue and white sticker has been pasted inside the helmet. It displays the name of a Leipzig firm that was a purveyor to the Royal Saxon House. The sticker also notes that the helmet is a size "55." This is a fine helmet. Saxon Kugelhelms are never easy to find. $5,495.00

 

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Schirmütze & Mütze

33-98 PRE-1897 OFFICER VISOR CAP - KARBINER-REGIMENT- SAXONY. This is an officer’s schirmütze from the 1890's, prior to the use of state and reich’s kokarden. The example bears only the state officer’s kokarde for Saxony. The visor cap is from Königl. Sächs. Karbiner-Regiment (2. Schweres-Regiment). The regiment was considered a heavy cavalry (Schweres) regiment and categorized as a Küraßier-Regiment. It was raised in 1849, and was the sister regiment to the Garde-Reiter-Regiment. It was garrisoned at Borna and assigned to the XIX. Armeekorps. This pleasing cap’s basic body is dark-blue. It features a wide black velvet band that measures 1 3/4" wide. Two thin red bands of piping appear above and below the wide black band. A third band encircles the crown. A single Saxon kokarde decorates the wide band. Some light moth nips and tracks show on the cap’s top. Inside the cap is a well-used leather sweatband. The cap’s liner is manufacturer-marked. The owner’s name, "Gebhardt," also appears. It is a fine visor cap, overall. $495.00  

 

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33-74 INFANTRY OFFICER VISOR’S CAP - SAXONY. This is a well-used, pre WW I, infantry officer’s visor cap from Saxony. It has a black visor. The cap’s main body is dark-blue, with a large, wide, red band measuring 1 ½" around its bottom. A narrow band of red piping surrounds the top. The cap has extensive mothing at the top and sides. Inside, the cap sports a white visor, sweatband, and silk liner that shows extensive wear. I will be honest with you, this is not the quality that we normally bring to you. We have another Saxon infantry officer’s visor cap that is in far finer condition. If you can overlook its faults, however, this cap is a real bargain. $225.00  

 

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33-150 VISOR CAP - INFANTRY OFFICER - SAXONY. This is a pre WW I officer’s visor cap from a Saxon infantry regiment. The cap’s body is dunkel-blau (dark-blue), which matches the blue uniform worn by officers of the time. It sports a wide red trim band that measures 1 3/4.” A single red piping band encircles the visor cap’s top. Both the Reich and Saxon’s State Kokarden are in place at the visor cap’s front. Inside the cap is a WHITE leather sweatband in wonderful condition. There is also an excellent WHITE silk liner. A tag on the front visor’s inside states it is a size “55." It is most unusual to find a visor cap with a totally white interior. While no cyphers are present, this type of interior often indicates royalty or nobility. The cap’s exterior is very fine. A single moth nip shows at the cap’s top. It is in no way detractive to the visor cap’s overall presentation. This is a fabulous visor cap, constructed of the highest-quality materials, in impeccable condition. $425.00

 

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33-93 OFFICER VISOR CAP - INFANTRY REGIMENT - SAXONY. This is a pre WW I, dark-blue, infantry officer’s visor cap. It sports a wide red trim band measuring 1 1/2", with a thin band of red piping encircling the crown. Officer’s kokarden for Saxony and the Reich are present. The cap features a fine, black visor. Some scattered mothing appears on top of the cap. A couple of the nips are larger than mere tracking. Inside, the cap shows a well-used leather sweatband. The liner is sweat-stained, (or stained from the officer’s hair oil)! This value-priced cap is perfect for setting off a Saxon officer’s tunic, or just for you schirmütze collectors. $295.00  

 

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33-68 PRE WORLD WAR I INFANTRY OFFICER VISOR CAP - SAXONY. This is a fine example of a pre WW I Saxon infantry officer visor cap. It sports a dark blue cover, with a wide red stripe measuring 1 3/4." Above the wide red stripe are two narrow bands of red piping. Please pay particular attention to the state and reich’s kokarden. They are similar in design to the kokarden used on Saxon pickelhauben, which are totally different from those used by Prussia. Other states, such as Württemberg, Baden, Hesse, etc., also used the Saxon pattern. The cap’s exterior simply sparkles. I see no mothing problems whatsoever. Inside the cap is a white, silk liner, and leather sweatband. Both are in very fine condition. This is a wonderful example of a pre WW I officer’s visor cap. $525.00

 

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33-132 ENLISTED MAN MÜTZE - TRAIN BATTALION - SAXONY. Before WW I, the Saxon Army just had two Train-Abteilungs. One was Königl. Sächs. 1. Train Abteilung Nr 12, which was created in 1849. It was garrisoned in Dresden-Bischofswerda, where it was attached to the XII. ArmeeKorps. The second unit was Königl. Sächs. 2. Train-Abteilung Nr 19. This unit was raised in 1899. It was garrisoned in Leipzig, where it was attached to the XIX. ArmeeKorps. Today we are offering an enlisted man’s pre WW I mütze from one of these two Abteilungs. The mütze’s basic body is light-blue. A wide black band, measuring 1 1/2" in width, circles its lower section. Two narrow red bands of piping appear above and below the black band. A third red piping band encircles the mütze’s top. The mütze’s front displays the correct state and reich’s kokarden. The Saxon kokarde is green and white. The reich’s kokarde exhibits Germany’s national colors: red, black, and white. The mütze has scattered light moth nips across its top, and on the sides’ blue sections. The mütze interior is in solid, albeit used, condition. Its leather sweatband is complete, and shows normal wear from perspiration. The liner is complete. It shows some staining from perspiration, and possibly hair oil. The mütze reveals no depot markings. Thus, it is not depot-issued, but privately-purchased. That said, no signs of identification or ownership appear, either. This is a rare mütze. Although it shows signs of aging, it would still make a fine addition to any collection. $450.00

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Waldeck-Pyrmont

 

Schirmütze & Mütze

 

33-178 PRE 1897 OFFICER SCHIRMÜTZE - INFANTERIE-REGIMENT Nr 83 - BATTALION Nr III - WALDECK-PYRMONT. The principality of Waldeck-Pyrmont was quite small. It fielded a single battalion in Infanterie von Wittich (3. Kurhessisches) Nr 83. Their battalion was Nr III, which was garrisoned at Arolsen. (The regiment’s other two battalions were housed at Kassel). The regiment was founded in 1813 and attached to the XI. ArmeeKorps. Today we are offering a pre 1897 officer’s schirmütze for this single battalion. The cap has a short visor. Its body is dark-blue. It sports a wide red trim band that measures 1" in width. A single narrow red piping band encircles the cap’s top. On the wide band is Waldeck-Pyrmont’s single kokarde. (After 1897, it would display this kokarde AND the reich’s kokarde). The kokarde is gold, red, and black. The cap’s exterior is in fine overall condition, especially when considering that it is more than one-hundred-ten years-old. Inside the cap is a well-used leather sweat band and a very well used silk liner, which shows some shredding. A circular tag appears with the letter and numbers "H 1388," which I presume is a museum control number. This is a very rare schirmütze. $650.00

 

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Württemberg

"Snow Troops"

04-212 SHAKO TO A ONE YEAR VOLUNTEER IN THE MOUNTAIN OR "SNOW" TROOPS - WÜRTTEMBERG. The Mountain or "Snow" troops of the Kingdom of Württemberg were considered very elite troops. Their numbers were relatively small. This shako is for a one-year-volunteer in that unit. This black shako is made of a higher quality of leather than one would see in a traditional enlisted man’s shako. The same is true for the Württemberg field badge, which is present. It is more consistent with NCO quality headgear. The condition of the leather body is generally good, with the leather remaining supple throughout. On either side and the rear of the shako there are some depressions in the leather. On the right side there is what I would term a small depression. A fine quality silver wappen is in the center of the shako. This consists of a starburst with the motto of Württemberg and what appears to be a likeness of the Württemberg Crown Order. The chinscales are also silver, and I do mean silver. They have a wonderful patina. I love it when I find chinscales like this that show a fine patina, with even decades of grime between each scale. This confirms to us that this helmet is untouched and in its original form. There are no Kokarden. The field badge, which is inserted at the top and front of the shako, is in mint condition. The outer portion is black and the inner is red. The interior of this helmet is a leather tongue type with a small cord spliced through each tongue to draw them together. Thus, it would float on top of the wearer’s head and keep the head from making contact with the top of the shako. There are some markings in the top of the shako. These markings consist of one very plain marking of "VoB," and another partial stamping that is the same. I cannot say what this means. I would remind the reader that "berg" in German means "mountain." Also Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel the famed "Desert Fox" of WW II was from Württemberg and served in the Mountain Troops. As a young Hauptmann fighting against the Italians he was awarded the Orden Pour le Mérite and went on to become arguably Germany's best known and finest commander during WW II. A very rare and desirable shako. $3,995.00

 

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Misc.

 

33-127 STATE KOKARDE FOR AN OFFICER SCHIRMÜTZE - WÜRTTEMBERG. This is an officer’s state kokarde suitable for use on a schirmütze (officer’s visor cap) from any of the Kingdom of Würrtemberg’s regiments. It was worn on a schirmütze’s front, along with the German Reich’s Kokarde. This difficult-to-find piece can help one complete a Württemberg schirmütze. The clips on its reverse are in place. It is ready for installation. $75.00

 

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33-136 KOKARDEN - VISOR CAP - NCO (RESERVE) - WÜRTTEMBERG. This is a fine pair of Reserve NCO’s Kokarden from a Württemberg Regiment. The reich’s kokarde has a reserve cross in its center. The Württemberg Kokarde is black and orange. All of the prongs are in place. I have these attached to a piece of cardboard to keep them safe. The less the prongs are opened and closed, the better. This way, they are fine for collecting for their own sake, or for inclusion on a visor cap. $75.00

 

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Canvas Covers for Tschapkas, Kugelhelms, etc.

04-335 WHITE CANVAS KUGELHELM COVER FOR AN OFFICER WHO SERVED AS AN UMPIRE AT MILITARY MANEUVERS.Canvas covers for pickelhauben, kugelhelms, etc. are always popular accessories. This week we offer you two very rare variations. This cover is for a kugelhelm and is white (although) I grant you it is rather dirty from nearly one hundred years of use and storage!). I first saw one of these earlier this year. To be honest with you, when I bought it, I was not 100% certain what it was. My first thought was that it was used by mountain or snow troops. That alone made it of interest, but that is NOT what they were for, I discovered. [During the same trip I was able to look at and acquire some magnificent photo albums that were prepared and presented at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II to favored royalty and military commanders. These are some of the most interesting photo albums I have ever seen. BUT! That is another story, as I am still enjoying and researching them. I am not quite ready to list them]. I did, however, learn the purpose of the white covers! They were used by umpires during military maneuvers! I have offered a variety of standard helmet covers in the past, even some with a wide red stripe. The latter were used by officers. The red stripe made it easier for their own men to see them when they were issuing orders. The white covers were to immediately identify the umpires who made decisions on the proceedings during maneuvers. I saw photos of these men, who also wore colored armbands to further identify them. The photos I saw were from the 1903 period, but I would expect these were used prior to and certainly after that date as well. The cover is identical in construction in every way to a conventional kugelhelm cover, with the exception of its white color. Despite having collected for nearly forty years, I had never seen one of these covers before! Yet now in the course of two to three months I have acquired three of them. The first example never made it to my web site. I do not expect these to last long. This examples is marked "R. D. Ulm" inside, as well as its size: "56." This is a very rare accessory, and a picturesque touch for you helmet collectors who want something a little different! This will fit a helmet properly. I just have not taken the time for these photos to fit it completely on the helmet. $495.00.

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04-336 WHITE CANVAS PICKELHAUBE OR KUGELHELM COVER FOR AN OFFICER WHO SERVED AS AN UMPIRE AT MILITARY MANEUVERS. Canvas covers for pickelhauben, kugelhelms, etc. are always a popular accessory. This week we offer you two very rare variations. This cover is for either a kugelhelm or a pickelhaube and is white. This example is far cleaner and whiter than the other example we are offering above. It is also different in that it was constructed to allow the ball or spike to protrude through the cover; leaving that portion of the helmet exposed. This was designed this way, and is neatly finished. It is not a matter of somebody snipping off the pouch that would have housed the kugel or spike. I first saw one of these earlier this year. [During the same trip I was able to look at and acquire some magnificent photo albums that were prepared and presented at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II to favored royalty and military commanders. These are some of the most interesting photo albums I have ever seen. BUT! That is another story, as I am still enjoying and researching them. I am not quite ready to list them]. I did, however, learn the purpose of the white covers! They were used by umpires during military maneuvers!
I have offered a variety of standard helmet covers in the past, even some with a wide red stripe. The latter were used by officers. The red stripe made it easier for their own men to see them when they were issuing orders. The white covers were to immediately identify the umpires who made decisions on the proceedings during maneuvers. I saw photos of these men, who also wore colored armbands to further identify them. The photos I saw were from the 1903 period, but I would expect these were used prior to and certainly after that date as well. The cover is identical in construction in every way to a conventional kugelhelm cover, with the exception of its white color. Despite having collected for nearly forty years, I had never seen one of these covers before! Yet now in the course of two to three months I have acquired three of them. The first example never made it to my web site. I do not expect these to last long. This is a very rare accessory, and a picturesque touch for you helmet collectors who want something a little different! This will fit a helmet properly. I just have not taken the time for these photos to fit it completely on the helmet. $495.00

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04-322 CANVAS COVER FOR AN OFFICER TSCHAPKA USED IN MANEUVERS. We are always happy to offer a quality canvas cover for a pickelhaube, kugelhelm, busby, or tschapka. Today we offer a very rare cover that would have been used by an Uhlan officer. Please note the 2 1/8" wide red band which encircles this example. This covering would have been used by an officer during maneuvers. It enabled his men to identify him easily and respond to his commands more quickly. The cover is in surprisingly good condition. It does have a hole on one side where I believe a portion of his tschapka may have poked through. It is interesting that this example has snap closures to help fit it more easily to the helmet. Covers for a tschapka are most difficult to find. This is only the second example of an officer’s maneuvers cover that I have been able to offer. The first one was for infantry. This one for an Uhlan officer is far rarer. Buy this cover, plus one of our officer’s Tschapkas and receive a special discount! $695.00. .

 

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33-179 CARDBOARD SCHIRMÜTZE STORAGE BOX. This is a circular cardboard carton that measures  11" in diameter. It also stands 5" tall. It is made to look as though it were wooden. It has metal trim and a metal handle that lifts the top off. The manufacturer comes from Göttingen. The box’s bottom states it once housed a schirmütze from 2. Kurhessisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr 82. The regiment was indeed garrisoned at Göttingen, so it is likely that the officers and NCO’s frequented the firm. The Prussian regiment was raised in 1813. It saw service in the Napoleonic Wars as well as other wars in 1864, 1866, 1870-1871, and 1914-1918. It was attached to the XI. ArmeeKorps. It is solid and in very good condition, overall. $150.00

 

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34-62 DELUXE OFFICER STORAGE CASE FOR PICKELHAUBE AND VISOR CAP. On a recent trip to Germany I came across a wonderful set for an officer, including a pickelhaube and a visor cap. It came in a totally different storage case than I had seen before. While basically shaped like a pickelhaube storage case, it is not as pointed at the top. This allows for the storage of BOTH headdress pieces. While I routinely see storage cases for either pickelhauben or visor caps, this is a nifty combination of both into one. It reduced the number of cases required when the officer was traveling. It would make a great addition to any headdress collection. Some of the securing straps on the exterior of the case are missing but the case is in excellent condition. $650.00

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Front Plates (Wappens) for Pickelhauben, Busby's, and Shakos

Occasionally I am able to locate a small hoard of the front plates (Wappens) worn on various types of Imperial German headgear, including pickelhauben, busbies, and shakos. While they are important for completing the various types of headgear, by themselves Wappens are wonderful collectibles.
Also, they are far less expensive than the headgear items.

 

04-600 PRE WW I OFFICER LINE-INFANTERIE/ARTILLERIE WAPPEN - PRUSSIA. This is an officer’s wappen from a pre WW I Prussian infantry or artillery regiment. The wappen has a fine brass finish, along with the open or voided crown indicating it is an officer’s wappen. Both screw posts are attached to the wappen’s rear. $325.00

 

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04-602 ENLISTED MAN/NCO’S M-1915 INFANTERIE/ ARTILLERIE WAPPEN - PRUSSIA. This is an M-1915 Prussian NCO/enlisted man’s wappen. With the onset of WW I, all brass wappens were retired, and M-1915 wappens were introduced in their place. They featured a gray-painted (subdued) finish to better protect the men in the trenches from snipers, etc. On the reverse are the simple loops that passed through a pickelhaube or kugelhelm’s holes. A small bit of leather was then be inserted through the loop to keep it in place. It was simple, yet effective. $225.00

 

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04-603 PRE WW I ENLISTED MAN/NCO’S INFANTERIE OR/ ARTILLERIE WAPPEN - SAXONY. This is a fine pre WW I enlisted man/NCO’s brass wappen from a line-infantry or artillery regiment. The wappen’s sunburst is gilt. The Kingdom of Saxony’s crowned Coat-of-Arms is silver-toned. On the reverse are the simple loops that passed through a pickelhaube or kugelhelm’s holes. A small bit of leather was then be inserted through the loop to keep it in place. It was simple, yet effective. $225.00

 

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04-598 PREWAR ENLISTED MAN’S WAPPEN - INFANTERIE/ ARTILLERY REGIMENT. This is a fine pre WW I enlisted man/NCO’s brass wappen. It was used on a Prussian Regiment’s pickelhaube or kugelhelm. Please note that it has a closed crown, which confirms its non officers’ status. Both screw posts are present. It is a very fine example. $275.00

 

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04-599 ENLISTED MAN’S M-1915 WAPPEN - INFANTERIE/ ARTILLERIE REGIMENT. This is a fine enlisted man/NCO’s M-1915 wappen. It was used on a Prussian Infanterie or Artillerie Regiment’s pickelhaube or kugelhelm. [Please note the wappen’s wartime, subdued gray exterior instead of the prewar brass. It provided a soldier more protection from enemy snipers than did shiny, sunlight-reflecting brass. A further aid against foul weather and sniper fire was a protective canvas cover). Soldiers who served in artillery regiments (kept to the rear) were not in as much danger from snipers as were Infanterie soldiers in the front trenches]. The wappen displays a closed crown, which confirms its non officers’ status. The screw posts are not present. It is a very fine example. $225.00

 

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04-594 RESERVE OFFICER’S WAPPEN - LINE-INFANTRY REGIMENT - SAXONY. This wappen is for a reserve officer in a Saxon line-infantry regiment. It features a gold sunburst and a crowned Saxon Coat-of-Arms over a reserve officer’s cross. The coat-of-arms has a dent in it. Both of the posts are in place on the wappen’s reverse. $450.00

 

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04-595 ENLISTED MAN’S WAPPEN - PICKELHAUBE - INFANTERIE-REGIMENT Nr 100 - SAXONY. This is an interesting enlisted man’s wappen that is ONLY correct for Königl. Sächs. 1. (Leib) Grenadier-Regiment Nr 100. It was the Saxon Army’s most elite Infanterie Regiment, as well as its oldest, having been founded in 1670. It corresponds to the Prussian Army’s 1. Garde Regiment zu Fuß (founded in 1688). The wappen features a silver sunburst and a crowned Saxon Coat-of-Arms. Both of the posts are in place on the wappen’s reverse. $325.00

 

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04-596 ENLISTED MAN’S WAPPEN - LINE-INFANTERIE-REGIMENT - SAXONY. This is an enlisted man’s wappen serving in a Saxon Army line-infantry regiment. At first glance it looks similar to Königl. Sächs. 1. (Leib) Grenadier-Regiment Nr 100, but whereas this regiment has a silver sunburst with a gilt, crowned Saxon Coat-of-Arms, the line infantry has just the opposite - a gilt sunburst and a silver, crowned Saxon Coat-of-Arms. The wappen’s reverse sports two clips that are inserted into the pickelhaube’s body and secured with bits of leather. $225.00

 

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04-476 ENLISTED MAN WAPPEN - REGIMENT der GARDE du CORPS OR GARDE-KÜRAßIER-REGIMENT. This is a complete enlisted man’s wappen from the Regiment Garde du Corps or the Garde-Küraßier-Regiment. These were two of the German Army’s most elite cavalry regiments. They were the only two military units to wear the Küraßier-style helmet WITH its elaborate dress-parade-eagle. The wappen is in excellent condition, complete with a hand painted eagle in its center. Both posts and screws appear on the reverse to attach the wappen to a helmet. The posts have been soldered (repaired) to the wappen, from which they had either broken-off or become loose. The wappen’s center also shows signs of soldering on its reverse beneath the eagle. This wappen could be an upgrade for a GdC helmet with a poor or damaged wappen. For you wappen collectors, this is a key find to for your collection. $995.00 

 

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04-492 XWB ENLISTED MAN FELDGRAU WAPPEN - DRAGONER-REGIMENT. This is a consignment piece. It is a wartime feldgrau or subdued, painted wappen for an enlisted man serving in a Dragoner-Regiment. It is in very fine condition. Both of the clips on the reverse are present. $175.00  

 

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04-525 ENLISTED MAN WAPPEN - LINE INFANTRY FOR A PICKELHAUBE  - PRUSSIA. This is an enlisted man’s pickelhaube wappen from a Prussian infantry regiment. It is a prewar, brass design. Both of the attachments on the wappen’s reverse are in place for fastening it to the helmet’s leather shell. The wappen measures 4 1/2" x 5 1/2." Overall, the wappen is in very fine condition. $215.00

 

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33-166 ENLISTED MAN WAPPEN - HUSAREN-REGIMENT Nr 17 - BRAUNSCHWEIG. We are offering an enlisted man’s complete pelzmütze (busby) from the Duchy of Braunschweig’s Husaren-Regiment Nr 17 elsewhere on our "JUST IN FROM GERMANY Merchandise Page." Both this regiment and her sister regiment, Braunschweig’s Infanterie-Regiment Nr 92, incorporated the Totenkopf on their respective headdresses. These two regiments, along with Prussia’s 1. Leib Husaren-Regiment Nr 1 and 2. Leib-Husaren-Regiment Königin Victoria von Preußen Nr 2, were the only four German Army units to employ the Totenkopf. For those of you who have no interest in a complete busby, today we are offering this enlisted man’s wappen. It is in almost near-mint condition. It displays a fine silver finish and measures 4" x 4." [The Braunschweig wappen is far smaller, and has a totally different style from the Prussian wappens. For example, a Prussian wappen measures 3" x 3."] As we examine our Braunschweig wappen’s reverse, we see that ALL four of its prongs are in place. We see frequently find that a wappen’s prongs, which were meant to be inserted into a busby or shako, have broken off. It is NOT the case with this fine wappen. It is in exemplary condition. $750.00

 

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