Reuss 96th Infantry Officer Pickelhaube

Reuss 96th Infantry Regiment 2nd Batallion - Officer - Model 1897. From a prominent US collection. Fine black leather helmet body with fire gilded brass metal trim. Helmet body has excellent form and firm stitching. The exterior lacquer has bright sheen but does have some crazing in back panels (see photo) but no lacquer loss. No extra holes in the helmet body. Interior has sweat leather and silk headliner. The liner shows minimal use and age and is in excellent condition.

Beautiful gilded prewar quality metal trim. Tall gilded officer style spike and base. Star retainers at spike base. The frontplate is the Prussian line Eagle with FUERST banner. On the eagles breast and the silver star and Reuss crest surrounded on both sides by laurel leaves. The frontplate is secured to helmet body by screws and nuts. Flat gilded officer chinscales on rosettes. Original Reichs and Reuss colored state cockade. This helmet is in excellent condition. Very seldom found as Reuss only fielded 1 Batallion in the Imperial German Army. Beautiful and all ORIGINAL example of one of the rarest State officer helmets.