Baden Officer Pickelhaube, 1. Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109, Karlsruhe

This officer’s Pickelhaube belonged to the elite 1. Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109 “Großherzog von Baden”, the senior infantry formation of the Grand Duchy of Baden and among the oldest regiments of the Imperial German Army. Founded in 1803, the regiment’s lineage traced directly to the Napoleonic Confederation of the Rhine and served continuously until the end of the First World War. Headquartered in Karlsruhe, the capital of Baden, the regiment formed part of the XIV. Armeekorps, alongside Baden’s other infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Its soldiers served both as the Grand Duke’s personal guard and as the symbolic embodiment of Baden’s military prestige within the Kaiserreich.

Physical Description

The helmet’s body is formed from highly polished black lacquered leather of officer grade, retaining its full curvature and an even, glass-like finish. The metal fittings are of mixed gilt and silver, consistent with Baden’s state officer pattern. The front and rear visor trims, backstrap, and base of spike are silvered, while the spike itself, officer stars, and chinscales are fire-gilded brass, producing the distinct two-metal contrast unique to Baden’s most senior regiments.

The spike is tall and finely fluted, seated on a cruciform base with circular ventilations—a feature standardized in the 1897 officer pattern. The chinscales are flat, gilt brass, mounted to officer rosettes. Both kokarden are present: the Reich’s cockade (black–white–red) on the right and the Baden cockade (red center, gold ring, black outer rim) on the left, manufactured in the refined officer style with serrated edges and enamel-like finish.

The frontplate (Wappen) is a masterwork of symbolic craftsmanship. The central motif is Baden’s heraldic griffin, standing rampant and holding sword and shield—symbolizing valor and defense of the state. The griffin bears on its chest a superimposed Garde Star, consisting of a radiating silver starburst behind a red-enamel cross edged in gilt, centered by the crowned Baden cipher “F.W.” (for Friedrich Wilhelm, the Grand Duke). The red enamel retains its full translucent depth and brilliance. The griffin’s expansive wings reach across the helmet’s curvature, touching the kokarden in true parade proportion.

All mountings are original and unaltered. The interior reveals a fine russet leather sweatband and cream silk liner, typical of Baden officer production. The silk exhibits mild age toning and one minor area of wear, but no structural damage. All inner hardware is untouched and properly secured; there are no extra holes beneath the Wappen, confirming originality of assembly. The penciled size mark remains visible within the crown.

Historical Context: The 1. Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109

This regiment occupied a status equivalent to the Prussian 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß and represented Baden’s sovereign military tradition within the unified German Empire. As a Leib-formation (“body guard”), its first and foremost duty was ceremonial protection of the Grand Duke, though in wartime it served as a fully active infantry regiment.

By 1914, the 109th formed part of the 28. Infanterie-Division (XIV Army Corps), fighting on the Western Front from the opening campaigns through Verdun and the final defense of 1918. Its traditions, uniforms, and regimental music were preserved under Baden’s state control until the army’s demobilization in 1919. Officers of the 109th were frequently drawn from Baden’s nobility and professional officer corps, their helmets reflecting the highest standards of private purchase craftsmanship from Karlsruhe and Berlin manufacturers.

The Garde Star on this helmet’s Wappen signifies the regiment’s elite standing. While Prussian Guard regiments bore the star of the Order of the Black Eagle, Baden’s equivalent represented the Order of the Zähringer Lion, the ducal house order founded in 1812. Its presence on the griffin’s breast proclaimed direct service to the sovereign himself.

The use of silver fittings rather than all gilt is another distinctive mark of the Baden Leib-Grenadiers, denoting their guard status. This combination of two-tone metals, gilt chinscales, and the Garde Star makes the 109th officer helmet one of the most visually striking among all German state patterns.

The Baden Military System in the Imperial Army

Under the Military Convention of 1870, Baden’s forces were integrated into the Prussian-led Imperial structure but retained independent identity. The XIV Army Corps, headquartered in Karlsruhe, consisted almost entirely of Baden troops:

• 1. Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109 (Karlsruhe)

• 2. Badisches Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 110 (Mannheim)

• 3.–8. Badisches Infanterie-Regimenter Nr. 111–114, plus supporting artillery and pioneer units.

The Grand Duke retained command rights over appointments and ceremonial distinctions, including the unique griffin plate seen here. Baden’s uniforms and equipment followed Prussian regulations in cut and form but remained distinct in their state symbolism, colour, and heraldry.

Condition and Collector Evaluation

This helmet is in exceptional, all-original condition, representative of Baden’s finest officer manufacture before 1914. The gilt and silver finishes remain vibrant; the enamel of the Garde Star is pristine. The leather body exhibits only minute surface checking. The liner is complete and original, the hardware untouched.

Examples of Baden officer helmets from Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109 are considerably rarer than their Prussian Guard counterparts due to the regiment’s smaller officer establishment and Baden’s limited production. The two-metal construction and enamel Garde Star elevate this to one of the most distinguished state helmets of the Empire—suitable for advanced collectors and museum presentation alike.