I still would like a cite, please.
These all seem to be functional jackets that just weren’t worn as such unless it was mid-winter.
That’s the most steampunky thing I’ve ever seen.
I don’t know - I’ll bet the incidence of helmet damage due to people casually sitting on them without looking went WAY down.
“It was a one in a million shot, Herr Doktor, one in a million!”
I always presumed them to be (very) last ditch weapons - if nothing else a soldier finding himself weaponless, and grappling with an enemy, could remove the helmet and strike his opponent pointy thing facing downwards. That ought to be nasty if it pokes you in the eye, throat, ribs etc. It now occurs me he would be removing the purpose of the helmet entirely - protecting your noggin, to do this. I think I just fought my own ignorance!
Bottom left one looks familiar…
Frankly, I think the pickelhaube would be an excellent defence against dropbear attacks.
Their practical value was foxhole defense. If an opposing soldier attempted to jump into your foxhole, they’d land on one of those helmets.
No, they were real. Google “Greek vase soldiers” and you’ll see a lot of contemporary vases decorated with soldiers wearing them. I can’t quickly think of a similar resource for Romans.
Was that an homage to the Romans and Greeks?
So, anti-atheist defence, eh?
For a practical use for a Pickelhaube check this out starting at about 0:30 seconds in:
That’s Jim Howick, a wonderful British singer and comic actor, in the helmet and harness.
Still available, only $129
http://www.militaryissue.com/WWI-Imperial-German-Pickelhaube-Helmet-with-Spike/productinfo/M600209/
Precisely so that they wouldn’t stab each other while leaning over to load the guns.