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A helmet of Füsilier-Regiment Königin Viktoria von Schweden (Pommersches) No.34, based in Stettin. This pattern of helmet was also worn by the 5th and 6th Companies of Füsilier-Regiment 33. The helmet is the standard Prussian type, the line eagle has a large scroll along the front, bearing the inscription in black lettering: Für Auszeichnung d. vormals Königl.Schwedischen Leib-Regiment Königin, this referring to the tradition and origin of the regiment before 1815, when the northern part of Pommern belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden, and this was handed over to Prussia during the Vienna Congress in 1815. The example shown is in very good conditon and datestamped 1912. There is only a faint illegible stamp in the neckguard.

The regiment wore white shoulder straps with the red crowned monogram of Queen Viktoria of Sweden, and belonged to the II. Army Corps in Stettin. No horsehair plume was worn.

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Prussia Kürassier helmet, M.1867

 

An other ranks helmet M.1862/67 for Prussian Kürassier Regiments. There were eight regiments of the line. This helmet was for all regiments other than Kürassier-Regiment 2 and Kürassier-Regiment 6, whose helmets were of Tombak with white metal fittings. Kürassier Regiment No.1 wore the line eagle until 1902 when a new special pattern of eagle for this regiment was introduced by Kaiser Wilhelm II., by which time, the regiment had the more modern pattern of helmet from 1889. Kürassier Regiment No. 2 had a different emblem.

The helmet shown has a very high crown, possibly reduced in height by 1867. The body is of steel with a long neckpiece and a channeled front peak, brass trim all round, the base of the spike and all other fittings and the line eagle are of brass, the tip of the spike is steel. The middle part is movable to enable the wearer to adjust the venitilation holes. The helmet has an original leather and felt liner, the neckguard is covered with black tarred leather, the inner front peak painted green. The massive convex brass chinscales are mounted on brass rosettes and iron screws (eiserne Schlitzschrauben). The helmet has no markings or manufacturers mark. The helmet has been nicely cleaned by a previous owner, and is in good condition for age. It could well have served in the wars of 1864, 1866 or 1870/71. The helmet was worn with a steel breast and backplate over a white Kürassier uniform and Brandenburg boots. The armament was a long broadsword with a brass basket hilt with four bars, the hilt leather, bound with brass wire, and was known as a Kürassier Pallasch, total length was in the region of 110-120 cm. Some of these weapons were of French origin, as captured in the Napoleonic wars and the war of 1870. The breast- and backplate for active service was officially abolished in 1888, thereafter parades only, and of lighter metal. There were basicaly two models of Kürassier Pallasch, the French and the Russian type. The eight Kürassier Regiments (home station in brackets) were:

Leibkürassier-Regiment Grosser Kurfürst No. 1 (Breslau)

Kürassier-Regiment Königin No. 2 (Pasewalk)

Kürassier-Regiment Graf Wrangel No. 3 (Königsberg)

Kürassier-Regiment von Driesen No. 4 (Münster)

Kürassier-Regiment Friedrich-Eugen von Württemberg No. 5 (Deutsch-Eylau, etc.)

Kürassier-Regiment Kaiser Nikolaus I. von Russland No. 6 (Brandenburg)

Kürassier-Regiment von Seydlitz No. 7 (Magdeburg)

Kürassier-Regiment Graf Gessler No. 8 (Deutz)

N.B.: The last Colonel-in-Chief of Kürassier-Regt. 8 was King George V of England. The regiment wore his crowned monogram on the shoulder strap

2. Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor, was often depicted in the helmet and uniform of Kürassier-Regiment 7 - (uniform with yellow facings). He was a Major of the Reserve in this regiment.

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Reichskanzler Otto von Bismarck in the Uniform of Kürassier-Regiment 7. He was a Major of the Reserve.

 

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Garde-Kürassier Helmet, M.1867

Helmet for other ranks of the Garde-Kürassier-Regiment in Berlin. Based in Berlin-Tempelhof. The regiment was raised in 1815, and together with the Regt. Gardes du Corps formed the 1.Garde Kavallerie-.Brigade. This is orginally an old pre 1860 model, which has been adapted to the later M.1867. The height has been reduced and the peaks reset by the regimental workshop. Helmet body is of Tombak with white metal trim all round, long neckguard stamped on outer edge G.K.R. with old style channeled front peak Massive tombak chinscales on officers cloverleaf rosettes mounted with correct iron screws. Leather liner is missing, a makeshift leather liner band holds the screws with the right pressure. White metal spike base with tombak coloured spike, higher than later models. The emblem is the Guard Star in large format, this is the older version, originally without the motto scroll, which was then applied after 1861 Mit Gott Für König und Vaterland, this in four sections around the stars rays, in one place repaired. The centre medallion is copper coloured with a black lacquered Prussian eagle.

The uniform was the white uniform of the Kürassier-Regiments, here with dark blue facings and whtie Garde-Litzen, silver buttons, white breeches, Brandenbourg boots, whitened leather equipment with bandelier and Kartusch, latter with yellow metal Gardestern. Cuirasse of steel with Tombak coloured centre, white metal rivets, worn till 1888, thereafter ceremonial. Fatique cap, white with dark blue band and crown piping. Weapon was the Kürassier Pallasch. A dark blue tunic was also issued for less formal duties and known as a Waffenrock, with the same badges as the white tunic or Koller.

The helmet was restored by a jeweller about 30 years ago, as it had many dents and much patina. A nice old helmet with a lot of history and character. Both orignial cockades, the Reichscockade was added in 1897, which shows how long old helmets were to be worn. In fact, metal helmets were supposed to have a wear period of at least 70 years! Some old photographs show helmets of this kind being worn right up till after the turn of the century, but mostly by Reserve Squadrons. This type of helmet was also worn by the Regiment Gardes du Corps in Potsdam. Both regiments wore a silver standing eagle in place of the spike for important occasions. This piece was discovered in an auction in Munich in 1987.

Reprint of a poster of the uniforms of the Regiment der Gardes du Corps through the ages, dating from about 1864.

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Kürassier - Regimenter - Bilder

An unusual photo, as the Kürass and the eagle were never normally worn with the dark blue Waffenrock, which was a secondary dress. Early photo.

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Prussian Field Artillery Officer

This is a standard example of a helmet of a Prussian Officer of the Field Artillery Regiments of the Line. All gilded fittings and convex chinscales. The line eagle has most gilding and some slight wear. Light brown leather sweatband with a silk ribbed liner showing some wear and age fraying. Some restoration to minor lacquer damage. Purchased at a London arms fair in 1972 for forty pounds.

A black horsehair plume was worn by Regiments 5, 7 (mounted battery), 5th and 6th Batt.of Rgt.42, 74 and 26 - Regt, 26, 2nd Batt. wore a bandeau with battle honour: Colberg 1807.

Prussian field artillery regiments consisted of 6 batteries, each with six guns. The batteries were horsedrawn and were mainly armed with the Feldkanone C.96 with a calibre of 77 mm.

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Infanterie-Regiment 93, Anhalt

This is an other ranks helmet for Anhaltinisches Infanterie-Regiment No.93, I. and III. Battalions based in Dessau, II. Btl. In Zerbst, and belonged to the IV Armee Korps. The tradition of the regiment goes back to 1807, its date of founding..

Anhalt was one of the smaller states in the German Empire. Its official ruler was since 1907, Friedrich II. Duke of Anhalt, who was deposed, as with all other heads of state, during the November revolution 1918.

The example depicted is in very good condition, and is a standard issue model wthout any regimental markings, the chinsctrap is of the private purchase type, patent leather with fine gilded fittings. On the left side is the cockade of Anhalt in all green, right is the Reichskokarde. No parade plume was worn. The Prussian line eagle with Fürst Bandeau bears the silver crowned arms of the Duchy of Anhalt, a crowned shield, divided, left, a half an eagle, right, a half of a Saxon shield, standard leather liner.

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Kürassier-Regiment "Königin" (Pommersches) Nr. 2,   Pasewalk, II. A.K.

This is an other ranks helmet of the last of the series of helmets made by C.E.Juncker of Berlin, before grey metal fitted helmets went into production in 1915. This example has been cleaned, de-rusted and partly restored by a previous collector. The shell shows almost overall fine pitting, the inside has been repainted, the original liner is missing, the leather linerband has been provisionally replaced. The chinscales have been completely remounted on browned leather. The crown studs I had to replace at my own cost, and these were specially cast from an original. The large cockades show some paintwork damage, especially to the Reichskokarde, which has been slightly retouched. The line eagle with the battle honour has some thinness and hairline cracks, as apparently also acid bath cleaned. The line eagle is of the slightly larger version for Kürassiers and has the battle honour on a scroll across the front - Hohenfriedberg, d. 4.Juni 1745, which is in honour of the battle of that name, fought by Frederick the Great against the Austrians and Saxons, etc. The helmet is stamped within the crown C.E.Juncker 1915
From an auction in Munich in 2004.
The regiment dates back to 1717, originally known as Dragoner-Regiment Kronprinz. In the early nineteen century it was converted into a Kürassier Regiment. The last commander in chief was the Empress Auguste Viktoria. All of the later crown princes served as young officers in this regiment, including Kronprinz Wilhelm, Kaiser Friedrich III, and even Wilhelm II. wore this uniform. The shoulder straps of the regiment bore the regimental device of a crowned L for the first female comander of the regiment, Queen Luise of Prussia, who was honorary commander till her death in 1810.
The unform of the regiment was the white Koller with karmesin coloured facings and trim, white metal buttons. In 1897 a gorgette or Ringkragen was introduced for all ranks of the regiment, and this in three versions, one for other ranks, one for the Unteroffiziere, and a special version for the officers. Depicted is the other ranks version. The regiment stood in Pasewalk and belonged to the II. Armee Korps.

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Helmet by C.E.Juncker, 1915. Has been cleaned, de-rusted, inside repainted, missing liner with a replacement leather ring.

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Peaked cap for other ranks, Gefreiten, Unteroffizier and Sergeant for walking out dress. Manufactured after 1915. White uniform cloth with karmesin (crimson) coloured facings. Illegible maker's mark from the city of Pasewalk, which was also the garrison of the regiment. Normal peacetime constellation, peak inner and liner are in greygreen, a definite indication that the cap was produced after September 1915. Peak is outwardly black, although the regulations stated that the peak was to be matt greygreen, this regulation was seldom followed, as seen on surviving examples. The quality of the material is not comparable with peacetime examples, the capband is of relatively poor quality material in comparison, piping is of good quality, the basic off-white material is also of slightly poorer quality. Inner head band is of grey waxcloth, with a ribbon bow to the rear, again, wartime quality. The colours of the crown piping have run slightly, probably due to rain, and the lesser quality of wartime dyes. Has probably been worn post-WW1 for traditional reunions. The original Reichskokarde was missing, due to the revolution of November 1918 and the ensuing new laws, here, an original replacement of lesser wartime quality, the white has turned yellowish due to the inferior quality of the colours.

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Kronprinz Wilhelm in the uniform of the Regiment, ca. 1907

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  • 2 weeks later...

Helmet for other ranks in Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Friedrich Wilhelm von Braunschweig (Ostfriesisches) No.78, based in Osnabrück and III.Btl. in Aurich. (X.Army Corps) with Waterloo scroll over the line eagle. All of the Hannoverian infantry regiments wore the Waterloo battle honour: I.R.74, 77, 78, 79. 164 and 165. Füsilier-Rgt.73 wore a scroll with Peninsula-Waterloo. These battle honours wree introduced by order of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1899. The Hannoverian X. Army Corps had been raised in 1866/67, after the annexation of the Kingdom of Hannover and the dissolution of the Hannoverian Army, which had been a cause of grievance to the population of that former state for many years.


The helmet is a normal issue version and has a manufacturers date stamp of 1910. The rear peak is inwardly stamped J.R.78 II. The entire helmet is in good original condition, apart from a repair to the Orb at the foot of the eagle.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Helmet, Regiment der Gardes du Corps

An 1889 other ranks model helmet of the Regiment der Gardes du Corps with Parade Eagle. The helmet shell is a good cleaned condition, the liner has been replaced at some time. Chinscales with some patina on rosettes and steel screw mounts, as worn before introduction of 1894 pattern. Original Reichs cockade, the Prussian cockade is a replacement. Emblem is the socalled guard star or Gardestern in white metal with a copper medallion centre, mounted with a blackened iron heraldic eagle attached at the rear with a leather strip. Around the medallion is a scroll with the motto SUUM CUIQUE above a laurel wreath. The parade eagle is mounted on a white metal eliptical base, the eagle itself is of silvered zink, probably from the 1915 Juncker series. The helmet has no maker markings, only a size stamp 59 to the rear underside rim. This example came from the auctionier Hermann Historica, Munich in 1982. This pattern of helmet was also worn by the Garde-Kürassier-Regiment.

The second illustration shows an other ranks' Ringkragen or Gorgette, introduced for the entire regiment in January 1912, the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Frederick the Great. When worn on the Kürass, the centreplate was screwed to the neck area of the Kürass.

The Regiment Gardes du Corps was based in Potsdam and was considered the bodyguard of the King of Prussia, who was also its commander in chief, and was the most senior cavalry regiment in Prussia. As a cavalry regiment it had 5 squadrons, which were uniquely divided into half squadrons, known as Companies, in all 10 companies. The 1st Half Squadron bore the title Leibkompanie and had special duties in and around the royal palaces in the presence of the sovereign, mounted and dismounted and escort duties. For this purpose it had special uniforms for ceremonial duties, including a Supraweste, a special bandelier and cartouche and a sabretasche of special pattern. Officers wore a bright red tunic for special occasions, known as a Hof Gala Anzug.

A street in the West Berlin suburb of Charlottenburg is still named after the regiment, which held one and a half squadrons in that area, and is known as the Gardes-du-Corps-Strasse.

The regiment was raised on 23rd June 1740. The last peacetime commander of the regiment was Major Graf von der Schulenburg. At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the Gardes du Corps was the first regiment to leave for the front. The Kaiser and the Empress Auguste Viktoria accompanied the regiment to the Bahnhof Wildpark station on their departure. The regiment was despatched to the West and crossed the Belgian frontier, advancing to the Marne. After the order to retreat in September 1914, it was moved to the Aisne, where it saw action dismounted in the trenches.

From December 1914 till Juli 1915 the regiment was involved in police and administrative duties on the franco-belgian border, after which it was transferred to the Eastern Front, remaining in the Ukraine till November 1918. The rest of the regiment finally returned to Potsdam in 1919, where it was disbanded. The tradition of the regiment was carried on by the 1st Squadron of Reiter-Regiment 4 in Potsdam.

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Prinz Friedrich von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen before the parade. Painting by Conrad Freyberg.   4 different types of uniforms worn by the Gardes du Corps can be seen.

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Prussian Guard Officer Helmet

A classical example of an officers helmet of the Prussian Guard Infantry regiments. An almost luxurious quality, with finely gilded fittings. Makers name impressed into the leather sweatband as Robrecht & Co., Berlin which was a well-known officers military outfitter at the time, from around. 1912-14, with a fairly tall spike. This pattern of helmet was worn by the following Guards regiments:

2, 3. & 4. Garde-Regiment-zu-Fuss and Garde-Grenadier-Regimenter 1,2,3,4 & 5, all stationed in Berlin. The 1st and 2nd batallions wore white parade plumes, the 3rd Bataillons wore black plumes.

This helmet was also worn by the officers of the Haupt-Kadetten-Anstalt in Berlin-Lichterfelde.

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I used to have a Gardes du Corps helmet and also a Prussian Guard Officer helmet identical to the one's you have just posted, I wish I'd kept them now.  

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Yes, there are just some items you can never replace, once you have parted with them.

I hope to keep items like this as long as possible.

The above item was purchased in the early 1980s at an Arms Fair in London. You just don't find quality like this anymore. Luckily these items have all stayed in their original condition. When I think of the items I saw in East Berlin a few years back, completely decayed and shrunken.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Württemberg Officer Helmet, 1914/15

A not quite typical example of a Württemberg infantry officers helmet from early war period. This helmet I purchased in London, Portobello Market around 1971 from a collector/dealer, and came from his own collection.


This would have been a private purchase nco or maybe oneyear volunteer type, and is of officer quality throughout. It would originally have been with other ranks cockades and a patent leather chinstrap with finely gilded fittings. The Chinscales are a wartime addition, being of Ersatz material, the scales are gilded iron with a black waxcloth backing, the gilding of a typical wartime quality, with slight edge wear. The cockades are of officer pattern, the black/red state cockade as per Württemberg pattern, with a distinct moulding, differeing from the Prussian pattern, the Reichskokarde in the usual fashion. The spike is tall but lacks the typical officer Perlring around the base, but does have the stars around the spike base. The finely gilded Württemberg emblem lacks the staghorn, which has broken off at some time. All other fittings and fine siilk liner are of peacetime officer quality.
The wearer would have been promoted to officer rank during the early wartmie period. The helmet is not conform to the official peacetime regulation for a Württemberg officer helmet, which had a square front peak, and which spike was mounted on a crossbase. The alterations would have been carried out in the field (mitbefördert).
The helmet is in very good fresh conditon, unchanged and unaged since its purchase in the early 1970s.


The condition of many helmets found nowadays has deteriorated since then.

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Helmet from Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 39

The second pickelhaube I ever bought in an antique shop in London in 1969, at the time in a sorry state and since restored. When purchased, the spike was missing from its base, the Prussian cockade was missing, the chinstrap very worn, one tear, the leather completely dried out, the leather liner also. I later managed to get an original spike, which was thoroughly oxidised and needed a good restoration, and also an good Prussian cockade with all original finish. The peak rim was loose and distorted, as was the rear spine, both moderately put back to shape. The helmet had received a bullet or shrapnel fragment hit to the left of the eagles scepter, breaking this and leaving a small, neat hole through helmet skull and liner. Since restored, the helmet is in reasonable good conditiion with genuine war damage. At the time, I used Meltonian Patent Leather Restorer, which was the best product for helmet care at the time, unfortunately since vanished from the market.

This helmet is an older model with a date stamp of 1889 inside the neckguard. The skull is of the older shallow eggshape, typical of the 1880s period. There is another stamp of F.R. 39, being Füsilier-Regiment 39 in Düsseldorf, and a Roman numeral VII, being the 7th army corps. The helmet was later stored, refurbished and reissued to Reserve-Infanterie-Regt. 39, presumably around the time of mobilisation in 1914, indicated by a further stamp of R.I.R.39, and R.VII, being the 7th Reserve Korps. The helmet has been fitted with a renewed front and back peak, as well as chinstrap and side posts M.91, replacing the previous M.87 pattern. This was common practice in the Prussian army, which was infamous for its thriftyness, and nothing was ever thrown away, everything was re-used or adapted for re-use.

The full title of the first regiment was Niederrheinisches Füsilier-Regiment No.39
In 1917 the title was changed to Füsilier-Regiment General Ludendorff (Niederrheinisches) No.39

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A Prussian Pickelhaube


This helmet was purchased in early 1970 from a London dealer, Chris Farlowe, who ran a militaria shop, Call to Arms in London borough of Islington, opposite Camden Passage at the time. Farlowe was otherwise known as a rock band leader in those days. He often appeared at concerts throughout Germany, at the same time, purchasing stock for his business. The shop closed sometime in the 1980s. I think I paid around 17 pounds for this item..

The helmet is of the older type of Prussian infantry model, but has convex chinscales, which were not regulation for the infantry, so it could well be infantry or possibly other services, most likely for an Unterarzt or veterinary personnel. The helmet came complete with its original cardboard transport or storage case, inside with ornate label of Eduard Sachs, Berlin, military outfitter. The crown of the helmet is unusually high with a seam below the rear spine, the front and back peak are longer than on later models. Emblem and convex chinscales in fine officer pattern quality, the other fittings are of a very good quality other ranks type, the rear spine without ventilation slide as per 1871 model. Cockades as per officer pattern The original silk liner is missing, the light brown leather sweatband in mint condition as with inside of helmet with light brown leather finish. Within the skull is the handwritten wearers name, Kolbs.

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  • Kenny Andrew pinned this topic

Well as an ex-pickelhaube collector that is truly an impressive collection Paul. :thumbsup:   

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  • Kenny Andrew featured this topic

Did you stop collecting?

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I only stopped collecting Pickelhaubes as I had to sell them to buy my first flat, so they went to a good cause.... I like to think my flat was subsidized by the Imperial German Army :D   

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N.B.: refering to main title - these helmets are not "Imperial" - there was no such thing as "Imperial German Army" (no Kaiserlich deutsche Armee).
The helmets are from the armies of various states, mainly Prussia, which did not have an Emperor, but a King,
a correct equivalent would be Royal Prussian, Royal Saxon, Royal Bavarian, etc.

"Imperial" applied only to the Navy and the Overseas Colonies - Kaiserliche Marine, etc.
Also, the official title of the head of the Prussian state as from 1871 (and before) was
König von Preußen  -   "Deutscher Kaiser" (and not Kaiser von Deutschland) was only a secondary and honorary title.

The German "Empire" was simply a confederation of the states which joined and were bound by a convention which each state individually
signed. Luxembourg and the Netherlands did not wish to join the confederation, and remained separate, Austria had been excluded after 1866, apart from which, had it's own Emperor.

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That's fine.

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  • 1 month later...
On 08/10/2017 at 16:07, kenny andrew said:

Well as an ex-pickelhaube collector that is truly an impressive collection Paul. :thumbsup:   

Very impressive! It is amazing how the spiked helmets were in vogue with so many countries before the war as well. 

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  • 4 months later...

As I said before, very nice helmets Fritz! I only have one right now, a later model, a wartime example. It also has a stamp inside, reads: B.A. XIV. which I believe was for Armee-Korps (Karlsruhe). Also shown is the removable top, in this case one for artillery. This model was designed so that the top could be unscrewed when at the front. 

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A nice artillery balltop.  The helmet is intriguing - it is stamped B.A. XIV., which is the Baden army corps - but has a Prussian eagle?  Although, the eagle is a good fit.
Also, the spike does not match the other fittings, which are fieldgrey, whereas the spike and base appear to be brass/yellow metal, also the impression on the surrounding leather varnish looks like the fittings have been changed at some stage. The studs appear to be fieldgrey (iron), although they do not appear to have been bent or tampered with (see inside).  The chinstrap fittings look ok, the leather appears to habe been replaced at some time? I would try adjusting the chinstrap, slide the buckles more towards the centre, until the strap is a neater fit, this may require softening the leather a little.
 

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On the chinstrap, one of the ends is broken that is why it does not tighten up. I could repair it, but will leave it for now. It is possible it has been re-worked at some point, it is really hard to find anything that has not. Either done in period or afterwards. Yes the spike also appears to be brass, which tends to lead that it was cobbled together. I will be on the lookout for a suitable replacement. 

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There have been a number of fieldgrey (iron) spike bases around lately, but difficult to get the spike.  The leather could be carefully stitched where it is not noticeable, if there is no part of it missing, simply put the ends together and stich firmly, using a thimble and a suitable thread, it does not have to be particularly thick, a slightly thinnish thread should do. I have done quite a few repairs in my time, including stitching front and back peaks on, for these, a suitable shoemaker's thread would be best, never make any extra holes, using the originals, making sure it is an exact fit.

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