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The Pickelhaube Überzug

The intent of this page is to provide a brief explanation with period photos on the seemingly endless variation of the Pickelhaube Überzug (helmet cover) worn by all ranks on all forms of Imperial German helmets.

Thought by some to be a product of the First World war, the Überzug (helmet cover) was first introduced for general issue on 17 May 1892. The brass and German silver fittings on all helmets, although very attractive in garrison, proved to be highly reflective and were determined to be a liability in the field. For this reason, a cloth Überzug (helmet cover) was introduced to be worn by all ranks on all helmets when in the field. On 28 January 1897 Regimental numbers were introduced which were sewn onto the front of the Überzug. Initially, only infantry wore the Regimental numbers, but this was extended to all arms that wore a Pickelhaube on 15 August 1914. Consequently, except for differences in uniforms or specific numbers, it can often be difficult when looking at period photographs to tell the difference between Infantry, Train (Supply), Dragoner (Mounted Rifle), Pionier (Pioneer), and the Eisenbahn (railway) etc.

Shameless Plug I am searching for original examples of all the Überzug shown below in order to eventually show original examples on this reference page. If any readers have an example they wish to part with, please contact me.

1892 The issued M1892 Überzug carried a Regimental number in red cut from thin wool or felt which was stitched to the front of the Überzug. For Line Regiments the Überzug number matched the number on the shoulder straps, except if the regt was cyphered. In this case, the Überzug carried a regimental number, while the shoulder straps carried the regimental cypher. The soldier in this photo is from Infanterie-Regt. Bremen (1.Hanseatisches) Nr.75 (Bremen; III Bn Stade) VIII Armee Korps.

No units of the Preußen Garde-Korps wore numbers on their Überzug. From 1892 until the end of the Pickelhaube, the Überzug for all Garde Regiments and Battalions were blank.

The M1892 Überzug was loosely-fitted over the Pickelhaube, with three hooks on the front which slipped over the front visor trim, and two hooks which secured the Überzug to the rear visor. Hooks are found in brass, black lacquered brass, or steel. The spike top was typically held to the main body cover by four elasticized cloth strips, which allowed the helmet to ventilate through the opening. Additionally, for Infantry and other troops with the M1895 sliding vent on the rear spine, a slit was sewn on the rear of the Überzug in the area of the sliding vent.

The original issued Überzug were a light brown color which quickly washed-out to a bleached tan color. Changes in the fabric resulted in the Überzug eventually obtaining a Feldgrau color by Oct 1916.

Manufacturer's Variations As mentioned above, the standard issued Überzug had a separate spike top which was held to the main body cover by four elasticized cloth strips. However, Überzug are occasionally encountered without a separate spike top. For ventilation on this pattern, several sewn "grommet" holes are typically placed in the area of the spike neck. Another variation, are Überzug that have been stitched tight together under the chinstrap mounts. This appears to have been done to improve the fit to the Pickelhaube.

1914 On 15 Aug 1914 it was directed that the color of the letters/numbers were to be changed from red to dark green. With the exception of Garde units, this order applied to all troops, including those that previously had not worn Regimental numbers.

Photo used with the kind permission of Peter Whamond 1915 In 1915 the final version of the Pickelhaube with grey non-reflective steel fittings and a removable spike necessitated a new model of Überzug. The M1915 Überzug was introduced on 28 June 1915 and now came with a cloth spike top, but like the actual spike on the helmet, it was removable. In an effort to improve the functionality, the M1915 Überzug now came with sewn slits on the side of the cover to accommodate the leather chinstrap.The green numbers/letters still appeared on the M1915 Überzug, but were usually removed for front line service.

In this photo, the soldier poses with the cloth spike top of the Überzug removed. The M1915 grey metal removable spike is clearly visible. As with the photo above, the sewn slits in the side of the Überzug to accommodate the leather chinstrap are also visible. Photo used with the kind permission of Peter Whamond

1916 On 27 Oct 1916 it was directed that all green numbers/letters be removed from all Überzug. Surviving examples of Überzug often show a clear outline of where the letters/numbers once were. For Überzug with stenciled letters/numbers, that section of the Überzug was removed and a new piece of cloth sewn in.

Reserve For Reserve Regiments, the number under the "R" on the Überzug matched the number on the shoulder straps. Like the Line Regiments, the Reserve "R" and the Regimental numbers were initially in red, changed to green in 1914, and then removed in 1916.

Stenciled unit markings During the war, the thin wool stitched-on numbers began appearing as stenciled markings in green paint on the Überzug. This period photo of a soldier from a Reserve Regiment, clearly shows that the numbers and the "R" are stenciled, not separately sewn. The numbers for Reserve Infanterie Regt 121, which match the Überzug, are visible on the shoulder straps in this photo.

Landwehr For Landwehr the number under the "L" also matched the number on the shoulder straps. As in the example above, this "L" and number are stenciled, not separately sewn.

Ersatz For Ersatz (replacement) Battalions (later Regiments) the number under the "E" on the Überzug also matched the number on the straps. The numbers for Ersatz Infanterie Regt 101, which match the Überzug, are visible on the shoulder straps in this photo.

Landsturm Unlike the Line and Reserve Infantry which were organized into Regiments, the Landsturm were organized in Battalions attached To Armee-Korps. Originally outfitted with black Wachstuch (oilcloth) caps, the Landsturm were outfitted with Pickelhaubes in 1915. The Landsturm Überzug was announced on 02 March 1915. As a result, the Battalion number under the Landwehr cross (the Iron Cross) on the Überzug was only in green (never red) and matched the Battalion (large bottom) number on the collars; in this case, Landsturm Battalion Nr. 8 XXI Armee-Korps.

Landsturm covers were also found with both the battalion number and the Armee-Korps number in Roman Numerals, or with the Landwehr cross only.

Photo used with the kind permission of Peter Whamond Letters Beside Numbers This photo shows a reservist with an unusual configuration. Rather than "R" with numbers below as was the norm, this cover has "R . 207" side-by-side.

Unknown Unit This photo shows an Überzug with an unknown marking of "MD". I have been unable to locate this in any references. Photo used with the kind permission of Marshall Daut

The Artillery When the cloth Überzug was introduced in 1892, the The Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) and the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) received Überzug with rounded tops to fit the Kugel (ball) top of the Artillery Pickelhaube. The exception to this was Bayern (Bavaria). Unlike other contingents who wore a Kugel (ball) top on the spike to represent a cannon ball, Bayern did not adopt the Kugel (ball) top for artillery helmets until 31 March 1916. Consequently, Bayern Artillery wore an Überzug with a spike top until 1916. With the exception of the Garde regiments, all Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) Regiments carried Regimental numbers in red on the front, while the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) had blank Überzug with no numbers. When all arms were ordered to carry the Regimental number in green on the front of the Überzug on 15 August 1914, both the Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) and the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) complied. The four Garde Artillery Regiments, however, did not carry regimental numbers and wore a blank Überzug from 1892 to 1916. When all insignia was ordered removed on 27 Oct 1916, the Artillery also changed to plain cloth Überzug.

As this photo shows, with the exception of the rounded Kugel (ball) top, the Artillery Überzug was identical to the Infantry version with three hooks on the front which slipped over the front visor trim, and two hooks which secured the Überzug to the rear visor.

Munitions-Kolonnen The Feldartillerie (Field Artillery) and the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) Überzug worn by the ammunition supply columns, were marked with Roman Numerals. As the ammunition supply columns were an Armee-Korps resource, the Roman Numerals reflected the Armee-Korps, in this case, Munitions-Kolonnen XIII Armee-Korps.

The Tschako Überzug When the cloth Überzug was introduced in 1892, all units which wore the Tschako were issued with cloth Überzug to fit the Tschako. Like Pickelhaube Überzug, Jäger Tschako secured to the front with three front hooks. For ventilation, the Tschako Überzug had small holes on the sides which lined up with the side vents on the Tschako. In 1915 the issued covers were modified to allow the leather chinstraps to pass through the sides and usually (not always) the sewn slit for the Feldzeichen was removed, as this was no-longer to be worn in the field.

Jäger Like other troops, the Jäger were issued with cloth Überzug in 1892 with Battalion numbers which were initially red, changed to dark green in 1914, and then removed in 1916. Like the Infantry Regiments, a large letter "R" was carried by the Reserve Jäger Battalions. The Garde- Jäger Battalion like all Garde units, never wore numbers on their Überzug, however the Garde-Schützen Battalion were identified by a large letter "S" sewn to the front of the Tschako Überzug.

Note the unique Feldzeichen (field badge worn on top) of the Tschako worn by Westfälisches Jäger-Batl.Nr.7 (Bückeburg) VII Armee Korps. Note also that the sides of the Überzug are elasticized and the lack of ventilation holes on the sides, indicating that this is a private purchase Überzug.

Photo used with the kind permission of Peter Whamond The Garde Reserve Jäger Battalion wore a Überzug with an unusual insignia; a simple horizontal bar sewn to the front of the cover. Note the Garde Litzen visible on the collar.

Sachsen Jäger Originally introduced in 1867, the Sachsen (Saxon) pattern Tschako for Jäger and Schützen Battalions was more cap than helmet. It was made from felt and covered in black cloth with a flat visor which closely resembled the French or American Civil-War Kepi worn in the 1800s. Like all other units, the Sachsen Jäger received fitted cloth Überzug to fit their unique headgear.

Interestingly, according to the Überzug worn in the photo above, this man was a member of Sachsen (Saxon) Reserve Jäger Battalion Nr. 26, however, the shoulder straps appear to be Sachsen (Saxon) Reserve Jäger Battalion Nr. 23?

Like all Überzug, the Battalion numbers were removed on 27 Oct 1916. Note that even during the war, the Sachsen Jäger continued to wear the Haarbush (hair bush) on their Tschako.

The Cavalry Although all arms of the cavalry were outfitted with cloth Überzug in 1892, no Regimental numbers were carried. The cavalry first carried the Regimental numbers on 15 August 1914 when all arms were ordered to carry the Regimental number in green on the front of the Überzug. Like the Garde Infantry, Garde cavalry formations never carried a Regimental number on the Überzug. Only blank Überzug were worn by Garde cavalry from 1892 to 1916. Like the Infantry, all cavalry formations received a new model of Überzug in 1915 when the M1915 helmets were issued with removable spikes. The cavalry M1915 Überzug came with a removable cloth spike top and sewn slits on the side of the covers to accommodate the leather chinstrap. As with the Infantry, the green numbers/letters still appeared on the M1915 Überzug, but were usually removed for front line service. When all insignia was ordered removed on 27 Oct 1916, the cavalry also complied and reverted back to plain cloth Überzug.

Ulanen The Ulanen (Lancers) also recieved the cloth Überzug in 1892 in the shape of their Tschapka. In addition to hooks on the front on the Überzug to attach to the front visor, Ulanen Tschapka Überzug have a series of hook & eye up one side on the Überzug to allow the cover to be fitted.

The Model 1915 Tschapka Überzug came with semi-circular sewn slits on the sides to allow the leather chinstraps to pass through the sides. As the entire top of the Tschapka was removable, so too was the top of the Überzug. This resulted in the hook & eyes used to fasten the Überzug together along one side, being on the removable top only. The bottom section was now sewn together as it could be slipped onto the Tschapka skull when the top was removed.

Photo used with the kind permission of Robin Lumsden Husaren As the edges of a Husaren Pelzmütze was considerably thicker than the brims on a Pickelhaube, Pelzmütze Überzug were held on with a draw-string along the bottom edge. The Model 1915 Überzug came with semi-circular sewn slits on the sides to allow the leather chinstraps to pass through the sides and usually (not always) there was no sewn slit for the Feldzeichen as this was no-longer to be worn in the field.

As with all units, Husaren Überzug carried Regimental numbers in green after 15 August 1914. The exception, was the 1st and 2nd Leib Husaren regiments who worn a script "L" on the front of the Überzug, and the Garde Husaren Regt who carried no insignia.

Kürassier and Jäger zu Pferde Like all arms, Kürassier and Jäger zu Pferde Metalhelme also recieved the cloth Überzug in 1892 in the shape of their helmets.

Officer & Private Purchase Unlike issued Überzug which were loose-fitting and secured by brass hooks on the visor, officer Überzug were privately purchased and often accompanied the Pickelhaube when purchased. The front and rear visors on the privately purchased Überzug utilized stiffened brims which slipped over the front and rear visor of the Pickelhaube. To improve fit, the section between the front and read visors and around the spike were either elasticized or had small metal springs sewn into the seam.

Officer's 1915 In 1915 the final version of the officer's Pickelhaube appeared, which had a removable spike and chinscales, which necessitated a new model of Überzug. The M1915 Überzug was introduced for officers which had a separate cloth spike top which was removable for when the spike was not worn. When the chinscales were removed, the M91 leather chinstrap was mounted and inserted through circular sewn slits on the side of the Überzug. As a result, besides quality, the only significant difference between issued M1915 Überzug and officer's M1915 Überzug, was that the officer's version retained stiffened brims which slipped over the front and rear visors of the Pickelhaube, the section between the front and read visors and around the spike had better fit as indicated above, and there was no slit on the rear for ventilation.

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