Original Imperial German Prussian M1856/57 Pickelhaube with Extremely Scarce 75mm Cockade & Partial Chinscales

Original Item. Only One Available. On 26 June 1856, an AKO directed that the convex brass chinscales would be changed to flat brass chinscales for all Infantry units. Cavalry and Field Artillery units, however, continued to utilize convex chinscales. For all units, the new chinscales hooked together in the center with a small ball and corresponding hole when not worn under the chin and the the long retaining bolt of 1842 was replaced by a simple threaded screw with a corresponding threaded post. This is an extremely scarce Model 1856/1857 Pickelhaube, used for a very short period up until the introduction of the Model 1860. An AKO dated 24 December 1857 reduced the helmet height to make the helmet less unwieldy and more practical for use. Older Model 1842 helmets were cut down and re-sewn to comply with the new regulations. This policy of modifying older models to new regulations explains the rarity of early Pickelhaubes today. This example is in fantastic condition for its age, althou