Prussian Hanoverian 74th Infantry Regt. Pickelhaube

74th Hannoverian (1st Hannover Inf. Regt.) Enlisted Man Model 1895 post January 24, 1899. Absolutely untouched and all original helmet. Black leather helmet body with brass metal fittings. Leather helmet has excellent form and firm stitching. Superior leather finish and shows age but has no damage and no lacquer loss (see pictures). The helmet interior is the black leather EM style that has rubbed areas and one tab torn (see photos) but otherwise complete. There are no extra holes in the helmet body.Inside the left back panel is profusely ink marked 'IR 74-2B-9C-1896", a second stamp with the date “1901”. This is important as the helmet was originally issued with only a Line Prussian front plate.

On January 24, 1899, the regiment received the special “Waterloo” banner to commemorate their service in the Napoleonic Wars. The helmet displays the new front plate with Waterloo banner. Inside the helmet bell the helmet there is the remains of a soldier’s personal label. The front plate is secured to the helmet body with the original leather wedges. The spike top is the standard EM pattern that does not untwist. Original leather chinstrap on M91 side lugs. Original Reichs and Prussian EM cockades. This helmet is a rare model that wore 2 different front plates. Absolutely 100% original and in excellent condition. RARE fully marked original helmet of the WWI era