Item 562 Baden Dragoon Officer spike Helmet
This is a well-above-average helmet as far as rarity goes. As far as originality/condition goes, it is way-above average. The state of Baden fielded just a single regiment of Dragoons during the pre-war years. The squared front visor and the nickel fittings indicate it as a dragoon. All the particularities of Baden helmets are represented here, such as the unique type of cruciform spike base and the rounded studs of the base as well as those holding the rear spine. The cockades are in typical form with the national colors being pointed/serrated while the state color cockade is the wavey rosette style. The hardware is all original and shows no signs of ever having been dismounted/removed. The leather shell has it’s original lacquer finish; showing no signs of polish or re-forming. All stitching is intact and tight. Under the correct vaulted chin-scales we can see where the lacquer has been malformed in typical fashion by the decades-long pressure of the chinscales resting on it. The liner is in decent condition with the standard artificial silk and a maker inkstamp. The edge of the sweat band has been cut in serrated fashion as is typical for Baden linings. The shell size is about 58. A portion of newspaper has been originally tucked up under the sweatband to adjust the size. As happens so often with helmets that use cruciform spike bases, there is a minor mis-alignment to the spike caused by warpage over the years. The tip of the spike leans over approximately1/3 of an inch (only noticeable when viewing from directly straight forward) . This helmet is a recent “woodwork find” in France and I have seen very few which are in such and untouched and honest state. $2650.00
PZ Officer Bunko
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