In support of an official event 

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 25
In addition, the Fourth Hangar will be closed Saturday, May 24

Guided tours of the 4th building, normally scheduled at 3:00 p.m. daily, are canceled through May 28.

Effective immediately, the William E. Boeing Presidential Gallery will have limited guest access due to scheduled event preparations. The only accessible exhibits during this time include: Douglas VC-54 Sacred Cow, Flying the President Exhibit, USAF Established Artifact. We anticipate full gallery access will resume by June 5, 2025.

Prussian Cavalry Officer Helmet

Note: This item is currently in storage.

 

This spiked helmet, known as a pickelhaube (“point” and “bonnet or headgear”), was originally designed by King Frederick Wilhelm IV of Prussia in 1842. This helmet design was popular among the Russian and German militaries and police prior to and during World War I. 

 

A variation of it is still seen today. British police officers on duty in England and Wales wear a custodian helmet, which has a small rounded spike or bump. Most other countries (Colombia, Portugal, Sweden, etc.) still using this style of helmet do so for ceremonial purposes.

 

Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker, America’s highest scoring ace of WWI, brought this Prussian cavalry officer’s helmet home as a wartime souvenir. It is unknown how he attained it.

Donated by the Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker Estate.

Click here to return to the Featured World War I Artifacts index.

 

Find Out More
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Related Fact Sheets
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker
Kaiser Wilhelm II Cigarette Case
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