Please note that there is naturally a remarkable quality difference from private purchase helmets versus the standard issue model. All officers, one year volunteers, faehnrichs (officer candidates), and many non-commissioned officers were required to purchase their helmets from private manufacturers. Enlisted pattern helmets were issued by the army and were mass produced.

Authors note: The information provided below is designed as an overview of the subject. Space limitations make extensive study of the subject impossible in this article. Please contact the authors with any specific questions or comments related to individual helmets.

Helmet Body

There are three basic body styles used by spiked helmets of the post 1890 era. The authors have termed the styles as:

STANDARD: Round front visor and round spike base

DRAGOON: Square front visor and crossed spike base

HESSEN: Round front visor and equal armed spike base

All military helmets use these pattern helmet bodies except Saxon General Officers and some Wuerttemberg NCO/I Year Volunteers which may have squared front visors and round spike bases. Many non-military, fire, civil servant, and police units wore spiked helmets similar to the military helmets. They use different body/trim criteria than the military pieces. Do not confuse them with military helmets.