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Pickel Haube

PalmerPirate

New in Town
I wasn't sure if this was the right place to post this, but I have limited options. The other day I was at a fantastic antique sale and I ran across a neat looking little copper pickel haube (spiked helmet.) Being as skeptical as I am, I chose not to buy it and instead spent the day researching real German/Prussian spiked helmets. I very quickly determined that it was not a genuine German or Prussian helmet, but it was most definitely an authentic... uh, something.
Stamped on the top of the helmet is a slightly rubbed-off word and the year "1885." Judging by the make and condition, this date is almost definitely accurate. But I'm not quite sure what it is. My pop suggested it may read "Pat.d May 1885." I can't really think of anything else it could say, so this is a fair speculation.
It very closely looks like a pickel haube, but I'm not sure if it's meant to be a prop (say, from an old opera) or if it's an actual ceremonial helmet from some obscure country that probably doesn't exist anymore (Likely, seeing as most developed nations of the late Victorian age had at least some kind of helmet with a spike on it. Even the U.S did!) It may even be a toy or decorative piece, but there are pieces of an extremely corroded liner left inside.
Whatever the case, it looks awesome on a shelf and the antique dealer knocked fifteen bucks off the price for me. (never a bad thing, as the original price was quite reasonable already.)
The helmet: http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx251/PalmerPirate/DerPickelhauberipenoffen003.jpg?t=1281922102

The lettering: http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx251/PalmerPirate/DerPickelhauberipenoffen010.jpg?t=1281922360

The pickel: http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx251/PalmerPirate/DerPickelhauberipenoffen011.jpg?t=1281922426
Tell me if you can see the images. I've never had luck with posting things on forums. Any help would be appreciated.
 

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