THE GERMAN ARMY’S spiked helmet or pickelhaube (is arguably one of the most enduring symbols of the First World War. The polished black leather helmet with ornamental metal spike on top did very little to protect the wearer from bullets or shell fragments, but it was instantly recognizable by friend and foe alike.
And while the pickelhaube will forever be linked to the armies of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the distinctive piece of headgear was enormously popular with a number of nations’ armies during the 19th Century.
Originally introduced for the Prussian infantry in 1842, the helmet quickly caught on and was used by militaries and police forces in Mexico, South America, Portugal and Scandinavia. Even the British pith-style helmet of the late 19th Century and the famous English bobby helmet were inspired by the Prussian pickelhaube.
