Prussian Reserve Garde du Corps or Garde Kurassier Pickelhaube

Prussian Guard du Corps and Guard Kürassier Reserve Officers helmet with Parade Eagle circa 1900. Beautiful elite and rare helmet. Elegant light weight Tombak metal helmet body with a step-down front visor and broad-swept neck guard, fitted with a tall silver parade eagle. The Lobstertail helmet body is in excellent shape with bright tombak finish The frontplate of the helmet is a fine silvered Prussian Order of the Black Eagle Star in multi-piece construction with the absence of the motto "Mitt Gott fur Koenig and Vaterland" around the edge of the silver star (see picture details of enameling). In the center of the silver star is an enameled Black Eagle Order with the motto, 'SUUM CUIQUE,' in gilt metal, and beneath, a wreath of enameled laurel leaves . Behind the lettering is a simple metal back. All in excellent condition. Note: We have not tried to remove the front plate as it is firmly attached below the inside of headliner. Removing it could potentialy tear the leather part of the liner, however there is no doubt in our mind the plate is 100% original to period.

The impressive parade eagle is officer quality (see pictures of feather detail) in silver metal with gilded crown fitted to the head. The eagle stands on a silvered cloverleaf base that is affixed to the helmet body with a central screw attachment - We used a cork roundel to secure the eagle as the metal one was missing. The convex tombak chinscales are fitted to the helmet with gilt officer quality cloverleaf rosettes. Original two-piece Reich and State cockades. The interior of the helmet shows age and use. The leather sweat band is firmly attached and the original/period silk headliner is loose and unstitched inside the shell. The interior back visor is lined with black silk velvet and the front visor with green colored leather. The front visor leather is a bit damaged, and the back black velvet has rubbed place on one side (see photos). This is an impressive and much sought after helmet in extraordinary condition.  Great centerpiece of any Imperial German helmet collection.