Many colonial pattern sun helmets featured a spike at the dome, a feature reminiscent of the German “Pickelhaube” (Pointy Hat). This traditional of wearing a spike is one that appears to originate in the 1840s, and while a helmet with a spike on top is traditionally associated with Prussia and later Germany, the truth is that many nations including the United States, Great Britain, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Chile all were among those that utilized the decorative spike.
But the first nation may have been Russia, which introduced a helmet around 1841. An often repeated story suggests that Prussian King Frederick William IV visited his cousin Czar Nicholas I of Russia in St. Petersburg, and here the Prussian King saw the first of these helmets worn by Russian soldiers. These were reportedly based on traditional Russian helmets used in the Middle Ages, which were themselves highly influenced by Tartar and Mongolian helmets.
This is especially noteworthy as the British Home Service Helmet, which was adopted in 1878 was likely based and/or influenced on the Foreign Service Helmet that originated in India prior to the Indian Mutiny of 1857. There remains debate over how much influence the German Pickelhaube may have had – or not had – on the design of the British Home Service Helmet with its spike. It is important to remember that the Russian military did use spiked helmets during the Crimean War (1854) and thus prior to the Indian Mutiny.
The Turko-Mongol influence was especially strong in India, notably so in the areas of the Mughal Empire, which was in decline during the latter part of the 18th century and finally was abolished following the Indian Mutiny. This influence was seen throughout the sub-continent, with groups such as the Rajput adopting a helmet with a spike in 13th century.
The Kulah Khud helmet of Indo-Persian origin was also used throughout the region, including in ceremonial purposes as late as the early 20th century. Thus the use of “spikes” on helmets existed for centuries prior to either the Crimean War or the Indian Mutiny.
The British were likely exposed to such headgear in its dealings with the Turks – who also utilized a helmet similar to the Kulah Khud at the time of the Crimean War for ceremonial purposes – while at the same time Russia was expanding into regions in Central Asia, including some lands that also had a Turko-Mongol influence. Thus it should be accepted that both the British and Russians were exposed to helmets with spikes around the same period.
Moreover it is likely that this influence occurred around the same time, and while the British may have followed the trend in adopting a spike on its helmets it wasn’t likely a direct influence from the German Pickelhaube, which itself was based on the Russia pattern.
Rather it should be accepted that the style caught on much as a fashion trend that saw similar shaped helmets replacing the shako, which had been the de facto standard of headgear around the world. As nations looked to “modernize” it was very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. In the 1850s to 1870s that appears to be a pointy spike on the top of the helmet!