The Pickelhaube (German: [ˈpɪkl̩ˌhaʊ̯bə] ; pl. Pickelhauben, pronounced [ˈpɪkl̩ˌhaʊ̯bn̩] ; from German: Pickel, lit. 'point' or 'pickaxe', and Haube, lit. 'bonnet', a general word for "headgear"), also Pickelhelm, is a spiked leather or metal helmet that was worn in the 19th and 20th centuries by Prussian and German soldiers of all ranks, as well as firefighters and police. Although it is typically associated with the Prussian Army, which adopted it in 1842–43,[1] the helmet was widely imitated by other armies during that period.[2] It is still worn today as part of ceremonial wear in the militaries of certain countries, such as Sweden, Chile, and Colombia.
- ^ Knotel, Richard (1980). Uniforms of the World. p. 129. ISBN 0-684-16304-7.
- ^ See "The American Pickelhaube" Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine for examples of American military Pickelhaube.