"Colour of pickelhaube spike" Topic

Hello
I am hoping that the knowledgable folk can help on this one. My references refer to the spikes of some pickelhaubes as being "yellow metal", but the illustrations tend to show a dull gold colour. I am guessing that "yellow metal" means a dull gold colour, but I would appreciate if someone could confirm that or tell me otherwise.
Thank you

I'm not sure about the Picklehaube specifically, but generally when "yellow metal" is specified it means brass. The fact that the color appears dull is undoubtedly due to scratches and wear. The rougher the surface, the duller the color.

It is brass, as Rich Bliss said.

But in the field (early WW1) the helmet was covered with a brownish colored cover, to avoid reflection and early discovery by the enemy.

From a militaria/uniformology perspective, "yellow metal" is often used instead of just "brass" to provide distinction. Badges and fittings occur in a variety of brass alloys, including yellow brass, gilding metal, red brass, and tombac.

Pickelhaube spikes, and all other metal parts were made of brass.
Very bright if clean, but it can dull fast.

Yes, my WWI-era one's brass. Like long-unpolished brass, it's gone a dull, bronzy finish now.

Brass, as above. And in the FPW they didn't wear covers and looked nice and smart.

Thank you all. That is very helpful.

Would the spike have had a different appearance (colour wise) to the other brass fittings on the pickelhaube? From what enfant perdus has said and my source material, I am assuming that (1) the spike was a yellow brass alloy and hence was more of a dull gold colour; and (2) the rest of the brass fittings were a more conventional brass colour. Is that correct?

Thank you again.

The metal work was the same colour. Note that the wappen and cockades varied depending where in the empire the regiment came from. See here:
link

The spike and the fittings were the same shade or color as they were made of the same kind of brass.
I am sure they were kept in a shinning golden yellow color during peace time, as soldiers pollished the spike and all the brass fittings regularly.
In campaigh the brass would have turned a little dull by the elements but I guess it still looked quite golden yellow.

Thank you. That is most helpful. My guys will be painted in their full brassy glory.

Mine are in the their full brassy glory for the same reasons my Napoleonics are all in their parade uniforms.

Interestingly enough my head dress when wearing no one full ceremonial kit was a British pickelhaube (with gunner ball instead of spike), but mine was gilt not brass.