Pickelhaube, Leather Helmets

These helmets were sometimes referred to as lobster-tail helmets by allied forces due to their distinctive curved neck guard. The design of these is based on the cavalry helmets in common use since the 16th century, but with some features taken from the leather helmets. The version worn by the Prussian Gardes du Corps was of tombac (copper and zinc alloy) with silver mountings. That worn by the cuirassiers of the line since 1842 was of polished steel with brass mountings, In 1892, a light brown cloth helmet cover, the M1892 berzug, became standard issue for all Pickelhauben for manoeuvers and active service. The berzug was intended to protect the helmet from dirt and reduce its combat visibility, as the brass and silver fittings on the Pickelhaube proved to be highly reflective.

The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel, which caused wounds that were common during that conflict. Furthermore, the spike often extended over the top of the trench, indicating the location of the helmet-wearing soldiers inside the trench and sometimes enemy soldiers would deliberately target the spike to shoot it off to antagonize and/or intimidate German soldiers . These may have been reasons why a version with a detachable spike was introduced in 1915. Beginning in 1916, the Pickelhaube was slowly replaced by a new German steel helmet (the Stahlhelm ) intended to offer greater head protection from shell fragments. After the adoption of the Stahlhelm the Pickelhaube was reduced to limited ceremonial wear by senior officers away from the war zones. With the collapse of the German Empire in 1918, the Pickelhaube ceased to be part of the military uniform, and even the police adopted shakos of a Jager style. In modified forms the new Stahlhelm helmet would continue to be worn by German troops into World War II.

Source: Wikipedia > Pickelhaube