Germany, Imperial. A Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves, Exhibition Example by Steinhauer & Lück, c. 1965 certificate_of_authenticity with small raised circles in

with small raised circles in each of the four corners

illustrating crossed downward-pointed Cossack sabres

The interior of this helmet is heavily padded with a black cotton liner

1917 (First World War)

Germany, Imperial. A Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves, Exhibition Example by Steinhauer & Lück, c. 1965 certificate_of_authenticity with small raised circles in(Pour le Mrite Museumsstck). Constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms, each joined through the quadrants by double sided Prussian imperial eagles, the obverse three, six, and nine oclock arms bearing a gilt inscription of POUR LE MRITE, the twelve oclock arm bearing a monogram of King Friedrich II, topped by an eyelet retaining Oak Leaves, similarly executed in gilded bronze, both components