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Imperial German Pickelhaube Index 		Uniform Details
of all Jäger zu Pferder Regiments		 Jäger zu Pferde
Plate 1
Jäger zu Pferde
Metalhelme 1843 - 1915
The distinctive black steel helmets of the Preußen Jäger zu Pferde (Mounted Dispatch Rider) first appeared in 1895 with the raising of the Meldereiter Abteilung (Dispatch Rider Detachments). The Meldereiter Metalhelme was made from blackened steel with a large Garde Wappen with gilt fittings, a stepped front visor, and a distinctive "lobster tail" neck guard which came to a point. The spike base for all ranks was a cloverleaf design and the Kürassier Model 1894 posts for chinscales were worn. In 1897 the Preußen line eagle Wappen was adopted and all helmets were updated with the new Reich's Kokarde, worn on the right side of the Metalhelme. Like leather Pickelhaube, Eigentums-helm (privately purchased) Metalhelme were higher quality than issued helmets with enhanced liners for comfort.
Photo used with the kind permission of
Robert Scott
1905
In 1905 the Meldereiter were formed into 3 Jäger zu Pferde Regiments. The "combined Jäger-Regiment zu Pferde" which had been formed in 1901 from Meldereiter Squadrons from various Armee-Korps, became Regiment Königs-Jäger zu Pferde Nr. I. in 1905.

The newly formed Regiments were outfitted with the new Model 1905 Jäger zu Pferde Metalhelme. The 1905 Metalhelme was blackened steel as was it's predecessor, but the fittings changed from brass to German silver except for tthe chinscales which were Tombak (an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc). The new helmet carried a Dragoner pattern eagle Wappen with upswept wings. This change to a Dragoner pattern eagle may have taken some time, as helmets with silver fittings that retain the Preußen line pattern eagle do exist.
Regiments 1 to 4 wore a Koller with a blackened steel helmet with silver fittings and Tombak chinscales. Interestingly, Jäger zu Pferde Regiments 5 and 6 wore silver fittings but carried blackened chinscales. For further details on the uniforms worn by all Regiments, please see the "Uniform Details for all Jäger zu Pferde Regiments" at the top or bottom of this page.

Jäger zu Pferde Regt Nr. 7
Numerous references contradict the colors utilized by Jäger zu Pferde Regt Nr. 7. Some references claim that Jäger zu Pferde Regt Nr. 7 wore a blackened steel helmet with silver fittings and Tombak chinscales while others claim this Regt wore all Tombak fittings. I am unable to find a definitive answer.
1905
The example shown here is an Mannschaften (Other Ranks) Model 1905 Eigentums-helm (privately purchased) Metalhelme for Jäger zu Pferde Regiments 1 to 4. the body is blackened steel with German silver fittings except for the curved M1894 pattern chinscales which are Tombak. The Kokarden are the standard 63 mm Kürassier pattern for Mannschaften (Other Ranks). Externally, the Metalhelme is identical to an issued example, except that it is extremely light.
The liner of issued M1905 Jäger zu Pferde Metalhelme was of heavy leather with rounded "tongues" perforated at the ends for a leather string to adjust the fit. Eigentums-helm Metalhelme like this example, however, utilized the "squared finger" liners or the officer pattern internal sweatband and skull-cap. This Jäger zu Pferde example also utilizes screw-posts for the back of the Eagle Wappen, compared to loops on issued examples.
Jäger zu Pferde Regiments 8 to 13
Regiments 8 to 13 wore only the M07/10 Feldrock with Dragoner M1895 Pickelhaube with gilt fittings identical in all respects to this issued example marked to Dragoner Regt.. Nr. 14.

*Note* It appears there was some sporadic issuing of blackened steel helmets with gilt fittings to these last Regiments, as the occasional example with gilt fittings marked to JzP Regt. Nr. 8 will surface.
Officers
Officers wore a Metalhelme that closely resembled the Kürassier officer helmet, but with a Dragoner Wappen. Officer helmets are found blackened like the issued Trooper's Metalhelme, or polished steel like Kürassier officer with officer Kokarden. Officers in Regiments 1 to 7 wore a blackened (or polished) steel helmet with silver fittings and Tombak chinscales, while officers in Regiments 8 to 13 wore the same helmet with gilt fittings. Officer Metalhelme also have finer edging around the circumference of the helmet and utilized the "squared finger" liners until 1880 when the internal sweatband and skull-cap came into use.
 
1915
In accordance with the 1915 regulations steel helmets no longer would use brass, silver, or Tombak. Preußen Jäger zu Pferde (Other Ranks) Metalhelme remained blackened steel but now carried grey-painted steel fittings for all Regiments and the brass or Tombak chinscales were replaced with a M91 leather chinstrap. Like all 1915 helmets, the spike was now removable and fit into a corresponding bayonet-style lug on the round spike base as shown on this Model 1915 example made by "Helbing v.Sackewitz" in 1916.
A comparison of the M1905 to a M1915. The shape and features stayed essentially the same during the transition from German silver to grey steel fittings. Note the removable spike on the M1915.
A comparison of the M1905 to a M1915. Model 1915 Metalhelme are found with both the large 63 mm M1891 Metalhelme Kokarde or the standard M1891 Pickelhaube pattern Kokarde.
Ersatz-Helme (substitute helmets)
All arms received Ersatz-Helme (substitute helmets) as the war progressed until helmet supplies could meet demand. Jäger zu Pferde Ersatz Metalhelme appear pressed from a single sheet steel with artificial rivets on the rear and spike base. These helmets are normally marked only to 8JzP. Interestingly, these Jäger zu Pferde Ersatz helmets carry normal line eagle Wappen and not the Dragoner pattern Wappen.
 
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Imperial German Pickelhaube Index 		Uniform Details
of all Jäger zu Pferder Regiments		 Jäger zu Pferde
Plate 1