World War I All helmets produced for the infantry before and during 1914 were made of leather. As the war progressed, Germany's leather stockpiles dwindled. After extensive imports from South America, particularly Argentina, the German government began producing ersatz Pickelhauben made of other materials. In 1915, some Pickelhauben started to be constructed from thin sheet steel. However, the German high command needed to produce an even greater number of helmets, leading to the usage of pressurized felt and even paper to construct Pickelhauben. The Pickelhaube was discontinued in 1916.
worlD war I all HElmets ProDUCeD for thE InfANtrY beforE and DuRiNG 1914 weRE maDe of leATheR. aS tHE wAR progRessEd, Germany'S leaTheR stockpiles dWindlED. aFter eXtEnSivE imPorTS frOm sOutH AMERiCa, paRtIcuLarlY Argentina, The GERMan GovernmENT begAn pRoDUcIng ErSatz pickelHauben MAde of other matErialS. in 1915, sOmE PickELhauBEN STarted to bE conStrucTed from Thin sheEt STeel. howevEr, THe GERmAn HIgH commanD neEDEd to produCE an evEn GrEatEr nUMbER of helMETs, lEADing TO THE uSage oF PREsSuRIzed feLt anD Even pAPer tO consTRuct picKelHauben. the piCKelhaube wAS diSConTInuEd IN 1916.