Saxon Officer’s Pickelhaube – Pioneer Btl Nr. 12, Parade Bush

This rare and exceptional Saxon officer’s spiked helmet is a unique example attributed to Pioneer Battalion Nr. 12—the only pioneer battalion in the Royal Saxon Army. No other Saxon unit held this designation, making this helmet a truly singular piece within the Imperial German militaria collecting world.

The helmet features a black lacquered leather body, properly officer-grade, fitted with a smooth silver trichter (plume holder) and topped with a dramatic, original black horsehair parade bush. The trichter mounts directly into the officer’s pearl ring base, indicating its correct parade configuration.

Its Wappen (front plate) consists of a tarnished silver sunburst backing overlaid by a gilt Saxon reserve officer's emblem—complete with the crown-topped Saxon escutcheon, mounted on a cross denoting reserve status. This contrast of aged silver and bright gilt creates a deeply dimensional effect rarely seen on officer helmets.

Additional key officer attributes include:

• Flat silver chinscales, mounted to proper rosettes

• Silvered visor trim and matching silver backstrap, both clean and undisturbed

• Gold officer stars set on silver circular bases, a known Saxon configuration

• Correct Saxon state kokarde (green/white) on the left side and Reich kokarde (red/black/white) on the right—both proper for the post-1897 regulation period

Inside, the helmet features a cross-stitched leather sweatband, fully intact and supple. The silk liner is the smooth variant, rendered in an unusual olive green color—a tone virtually never encountered on Saxon headgear. The silk remains clean and complete, showing only mild wear.

This helmet combines outstanding craftsmanship with a highly specific regimental identity. Its complete parade configuration, reserve officer distinction, and one-unit attribution set it far apart from more commonly encountered officer helmets.

CONDITION:

• Black lacquered leather body, excellent luster, no crazing or loss

• Smooth silver trichter firmly seated; black horsehair parade bush full and original

• Gilt reserve officer’s Saxon Wappen with cross on silver sunburst—tarnished but crisp

• Flat silver chinscales with proper officer hardware

• Silver visor trim and backstrap tight and bright

• Correct Saxon and Reich cockades mounted in regulation positions

• Officer stars gold on silver base, all present and secure

• Interior cross-stitched leather sweatband complete

• Olive green smooth silk liner intact, minor expected wear only

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

The Königlich Sächsisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 12, headquartered in Dresden, was the sole pioneer formation of the Royal Saxon Army. Unlike Prussian forces, where multiple engineer units existed, Saxony centralized its engineering capacity into this elite battalion.

The existence of a dedicated officer Pickelhaube with trichter and parade bush for this single unit is highly unusual. Most pioneer formations did not carry spiked helmets with full ceremonial features, making this one of the rarest known Saxon officer helmets. The reserve officer cross beneath the Wappen further narrows its attribution and affirms its use in ceremonial and court functions rather than frontline service.

This helmet likely appeared during royal reviews, inspections, or formal parades—potentially in Dresden or during visits to Berlin—worn by a reserve officer attached to the battalion for high-visibility state occasions.

.PROVENANCE:
From a long-held private collection, stored in a climate-controlled display. This helmet has not previously appeared on the market and ranks among the finest and most unique Saxon officer helmets known.