Bavarian OYV Pickelhaube with Parade Plume

With its dramatic white horsehair plume and rich gilt trim, this Bavarian  Pickelhaube radiates the courtly flair that defined ceremonial appearances in the Kingdom of Bavaria. These parade-ready helmets were reserved for the highest-profile reviews and dress functions, making surviving examples with original plumes and liners both rare and highly sought after by serious collectors.

Bavarian  pickelhaube with white horsehair parade plume

• Helmet Type: Pickelhaube
• Branch: Royal Bavarian Army
• Rank: OYV (One Year Volunteer)
• Period: c. 1897–1914
• Key Features: Gilt fittings, fluted trichter with parade socket, removable white horsehair plume, state and Reich cockades, complete liner

1. Wappen (Front plate):

• Design: Large Bavarian officers coat of arms, featuring:
• The crowned oval shield  (House of Wittelsbach)
• Supported by two rampant lions
• Topped with the Bavarian royal crown and bordered with a decorative motto ribbon
• Construction: Gilt brass, deeply cast, with crisp detailing
• Historical Accuracy: Matches the 1895–1914 officer model per Dressordnung für das Königreich Bayern, as well as Larcade Vol. I, p. 122–124

2.  Parade Configuration:

• Trichter: Gilt brass, fluted, mounted on a guilt pearl ring on a pierced cruciform base
• Plume Base: Spike unscrews cleanly to allow insertion of the brass parade trichter, into which the white horsehair plume is mounted
• Plume: Officer-grade white horsehair, full-bodied, correct length and curl, mounted with brass socket cup
• Note: White parade plumes were reserved for ceremonial use by line infantry and Chevaulegers officers; they were not worn in field service or campaign dress

3. Cockades:

• Right (National): Reich cockade in red, white, and black with gilt rosette
• Left (State): Bavarian cockade — sky blue and white enamel ring, gilt center
• Usage Note: The presence of both cockades confirms use post-1897 no later than 1914, when dual cockade wear became mandatory for all Imperial forces

4. Helmet Body and Trim:

• Shell: Deep black lacquered leather body, hand-stitched seams, high crown curve
• Trim: Gilt brass edging along the visors and rear spine; minimal wear, uniform tone
• Chinscales: Convex officer gilt scales with velvet backing, mounted on rosettes
• Front Visor: squared not rounded
• Rear Visor: minor inward curling

5. Interior:

• Liner: Deluxe officer-grade configuration — light brown leather sweatband paired with a cream silk headliner
• Condition: Sweatband supple, silk intact with light wrinkling only; partial detachment on one side of silk from sweatband,, signs of persperation
• Hardware: All internal fittings correct; no extra holes under Wappen; cruciform spike mount in place with proper washers

Bavarian OYV were known for their retention of state traditions even after unification into the German Empire. While subject to Berlin’s high command during wartime, the Bavarian Army retained full autonomy in uniforms, helmet designs, and regimental organization.

Helmets such as this would have been worn by officers of:

• Infanterie-Leib-Regiment (Munich)
• 1. Kgl. Bayer. Chevaulegers-Regt. Kaiser Nikolaus von Rußland (Regensburg)
• Or one of the Bayerisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 1–23

The presence of the white parade plume suggests court duty, formal events, or public parades. Officers of these regiments would order their helmets privately from tailors or helmet makers (e.g., Steinmetz, München), often opting for ornate details like pierced spike bases and extra-high-quality liners.

• Exterior: Excellent form, minor lacquer checking only
• Trim: Bright gilt finish throughout
• Chinscales: Intact, leather-backed, unpolished
• Cockades: Period originals, no repaint
• Interior: Full silk liner and leather sweatband, minimal wear
• Parade Plume: Clean and undamaged, fully detachable
• Complete officer helmet with original parade plume
• No repairs or reproduction fittings
• Interior and plume condition elevate this above average market examples

From the private collection of a longtime collector of officer-grade state helmets, is one of the most complete Bavarian parade helmets we’ve seen in over a decade.