Model 1868 Bayerische (Bavarian) Jäger Battalion Raupenhelm
 
Model 1868 Bayerische (Bavarian) Jäger Battalion Raupenhelm. The thick leather body has a large wool "Raupe" (literally: caterpillar) on the top and was worn from 1800 to 1886 undergoing numerous modifications. This pattern of Raupenhelm was worn by any one of the 10 Bayerisches Jäger Battalions.

Unlike a Pickelhaube where the visors were lacquered and then are sewn onto the outside of the lacquered shell, on Raupenhelm the visors were sewn to the shell under the impressed edge after which the entire helmet was lacquered. The lack of visible sewing on the exterior for the visors gives the appearance that the helmet is one piece.
 
A view of the Model 1868Bayerische (Bavarian) Jäger Battalion Raupenhelm profile.
A view of the two-piece Bayern (Bavaria) Wappen (front plate) worn from 1868 to 1886. The Wappen is held on with loops that pierce the helmet shell, and are retained onto the shell with leather wedges.

This identical system was adopted by Preußen (Prussia) in 1895 for her issued Wappen.
A close up of the green Jäger wool "Huppe" on the left side of the helmet above the single Bayern Kokarde. Infantry Regiments did not carry the addition wool Huppe; a colored wool Huppe was carried by Jäger (green), Schützen (green), Sanitätskompanien (red), and Chevaulegers (white).

The silver Bayern Kokarde at one time would have carried a center blue-painted ring, however, over time, the paint has fallen off of this example.
The leather chinstrap was riveted onto a brass end piece, which is wrapped around a brass ring held in the mouth of a lion head on each side of the helmet.
The rear of the helmet reveals the brass air vent on each side of the shell, to allow the helmet to ventilate. Note that wool Raupe goes half way down the rear visor.
The liner of the issued M1868 helmet was heavy leather with rounded "tongues" perforated at the ends for a leather string to adjust the fit. Note that the "tongues" on leather Raupenhelm liners flare out at the ends, almost in a teardrop shape. Except for some slight age damage to a few areas on the edge, the liner is still intact.

The brass loops with leather wedges used to hold on the wool Raupe and Wappen are visible inside.
The inside of the shell carries a wonderful cloth tag identifying the last wearer as Jäger Sellmeier K.b. 4. Jäger Batallion 4. Compagnie.

The remnants of the name tag of the man who was issued this Raupenhelm before Jäger Sellmeier is visible underneath.
Between the folded tabs of the air vents is another cloth tag with "4C1877" (4th Comany 1877).
The superb illustration to the left by Darko Pavlovic shows a Bayern Jäger.

From: Solka, M. (2005) German Armies 1870-71 (2) Prussia's Allies (Men at Arms 422).Osprey Publishing, Midland House Oxford.

The collar and cuffs on the pale-blue Waffenrock was green for all Bayern Jäger.
Old friends together again; a Model 1868 Bayerische (Bavarian) Jäger Battalion Raupenhelm and a Bayerische Model 1837 water bottle. To see the water bottle click Here.