Filzhelm (Felt) Pickelhaube

myminifactory

This helmet was found in a grandfather's basement, a relic from Scan The World's treasure trove. Copies of this very same helmet can be seen at other war museums, a testament to the enduring legacy of military history. The Pickelhaube was a spiked helmet worn by German military personnel, firefighters, and police during the 19th and 20th centuries. While often associated with the Prussian army, its design was widely imitated by other armies during this period. In August 1914, the declaration of war led to the mobilization of German-speaking contingents fighting together as the Imperial German Army. With modern warfare underway, the German Armies struggled to equip millions of soldiers quickly, resulting in a severe shortage of leather for manufacturing Pickelhauben. To address this pressing issue, Germans began manufacturing helmets from Ersatz (substitute) materials in 1914. Initially, these Ersatz felt Pickelhauben were manufactured with identical fittings, including silver or brass accents and a front visor trim. As the Filzhelm Pickelhaube was crafted from pressed and blocked rabbit felt, it offered little practical head protection. The liner inside an Ersatz Filzhelm is sewn into the shell and then folded once to fit snugly inside. These Ersatz helmets often feature a unique construction method, with liners stitched inside-out on the outside of the shell before being folded down and inward towards the inside of the helmet. This helmet was made after the German Saxon Pickelhaube due to blocked shipping of leather and wax from the North Sea following World War 1. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative created by MyMiniFactory, which aims to build a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and those with interesting items they'd like to contribute can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can help.