We all know the classic German helmet and it’s Great War predecessor, and while I’m sure it was fairly common, other times like in All quiet on the western front, you only see (movie version) men with the spiked helmet. Other times, they’re just wearing a cap. I’m sure all three were used, but what I want to know is what was the most common?
So the pickelhaube or “the spiked helmet” wasn’t really a helmet we think of . It was a canvas and leather helmet with no metal to protect the head from shrapnel and bullets. This was replaced after imported leather from other countries were cut off due to the British blockade. The Stahlhelm was the replacement which was all around better than the Pickelhaube. This became the most common helmet for German soldiers. It was cheaper and provided more protection for the troops