I could be wrong, but I believe that the spike or ball was actually created for a means for ventilation, and to identify with a military unit. At the base of the spike are four holes which allowed air to enter through the top of the Pickelhaube. The Infantry used a spike and the Artillery used a ball on their Pickelhaube.
I used to collect Pickelhaube many years ago, and a collector told me this information.
Cheers,
Albert
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