Hessen 25th or 64th Field Artillery NCO Pickelhaube

Hessen 25th or 64th Field Artillery - One Year Volunteer, Model 1897. In “as found” and uncleaned. All officer (private purchase) construction. Black lacquered helmet with fire gilt metal trim. Leather helmet body has fine form and firm stitching. Exterior lacquer has matte age-related finish (see photos). The metal trim retains its fine fire gilded shine. No extra holes in helmet body. The leather helmet body is the Hessen style with round front visor and crossed spike base.

The spike base has NCO pearlring style ornamentation that in Hessen is exclusively used by Hessen Artillery Regiments. An artillery ball ornament on top of cross base. Back spine has domed rivets as is proper for Hessen helmets. The helmet interior has light tan sweat leather and silk headliner. The liner shows use but is still in good condition. The frontplate is the gilded Hessen rampant Lion with closed crown secured by screw posts. Guilt rounded chinscales on rosettes. Standard Reichs Officer cockade on right side with the non-serrated Hessen cockade on left side. This is a very nice and un-restored helmet from the WWI era.