From Pikelhaube to Steel

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Spike?
How about just a "decoration"? Why would it need a purpose?
Head butt with a spike on the top of your head? You're kidding, right?

The Pickelhauben were intended to allow for easier recognition of friendly troops during the chaos of the battlefield.

Interestingly, after Germany's victory over France in 1871, many European and Latin American armies adopted the Pickelhaube as did the US.