Kyiv customs officials seized a Prussian officer’s helmet dating from 1915 in a parcel bound for the US
The sender of the parcel turned out to be a resident of the Rivne region, whilst the recipient was an addressee in the USA. As the item appeared to be of historical significance, customs officials sent it for examination to the National Museum of Ukrainian History.
Experts determined that it was a pikkelhaube or pikkelhelm, a protective helmet worn by a Prussian officer in 1915. All metal elements are made of a copper-based alloy and gilded, which is characteristic of the officer corps of the German Empire’s army.
The helmet retains the original brass coat of arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, featuring an eagle beneath a royal crown. The letters ‘FR’ (Frederick I) appear on the breastplate, and the ribbon bears the motto ‘With God for King and Fatherland’ inscribed in German.
The interior of the dome is lined with leather of the ‘Laika’ type, bearing a regimental stamp. Experts have confirmed that both the stamp and the text are original. According to their findings, the helmet likely belonged to a veterinary surgeon of a Jäger regiment in the German Imperial Armed Forces.
Experts noted that commemorative Prussian Pikelhaube officer’s helmets are extremely rare on the antique markets of Europe, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Such items possess cultural and historical value.
Under Ukrainian law, a certificate from the Ministry of Culture is required to export cultural and historical artefacts abroad. No permits were presented to customs officials.
Kyiv Customs drew up a report on the violation of customs regulations under Part 2 of Article 473 of the Customs Code of Ukraine. The helmet was seized pending a court decision.
