1844: Introduction of the "ball" finial for artillery regiments.
1857: Reduction in overall size and weight of helmet (2 cm shorter).
1860: Significant reduction in size of helmet (4cm). Spike and base also reduced in size.
1867: Radically different helmet design. Front visor now has round metal edging with the spike base also being round. The back spine is completely eliminated.
1871: Back spine is re-introduced.
1887: New style helmet for enlisted model helmet. Metal front visor trim removed and replaced with a hardened curled leather edge. Chinscale rosettes are replaced with a hook retention system. Pearl ring at spike base is removed.
1891: Metal front visor trim re-introduced. M-87 chinscale hooks replaced with lug retainer (M91 side lug) for a leather chinstrap.
1895: Reduction in size and weight of helmet (body now 12.5 cm tall). The front plate is now attached to the helmet body with 2 small metal loops behind the plate. The loops are affixed with small leather wedges in the back. Back spine for enlisted pattern helmets of foot troops was fitted with a ventilation sleeve (Mounted troops received the vented back spine in 1904). This helmet model was worn by enlisted troops at the outbreak of WWI.
1897: Introduction of the black/white/red Reichs cockade to be worn in conjunction with the state cockade.
1915: Modification to the M1895 enlisted pattern helmet. Introduction of matte gray oxidized steel to replace bright metal trim. Spike also made to be removable at base by a bayonet lock mechanism.
The "Pickelhaube" became such a popular head dress in the late 1890's that many countries adopted their own version of the spiked helmet. Those countries include Sweden, Norway, Rumania, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Brazil, Chile, Equator, Peru, Mexico, Duchy of Parma, and the United States.
