Someone attempted to smuggle a rare 1915 officer's helmet from Ukraine to the United States
In Ukraine, customs officials seized a rare Prussian officer's helmet from 1915 that was being shipped to the United States.
This was reported by the State Customs Service.
Kyiv customs officials prevented the illegal shipment abroad. “The sender turned out to be a resident of the Rivne region, and the recipient was a person in the United States,” the agency noted.
Due to obvious signs of antiquity, the helmet was sent for examination to the National Museum of Ukrainian History. Experts confirmed that it is a Pikelhaube (Pikelhelm)—a protective helmet of a Prussian officer from 1915. All metal elements are made of a copper-based alloy and gilded, which is characteristic of the officer corps of the German Empire’s army.
“The helmet retains the original brass coat of arms of the Kingdom of Prussia featuring an eagle beneath a royal crown. On its chest are the letters ‘FR’ (Frederick I), and the ribbon bears the motto in German: ‘With God for the King and the Fatherland,’” the customs service reported.
The interior of the helmet is lined with leather of the “Laika” type and bears a regimental stamp. Experts have confirmed the authenticity of the stamp and the text. According to their findings, the helmet likely belonged to a veterinary surgeon of a Jäger regiment in the German Empire’s Armed Forces.
Customs officials emphasized that similar commemorative Prussian officer helmets are virtually never found on antique markets in Europe, Ukraine, and Russia, and that this item holds great cultural and historical value.
Under Ukrainian law, a certificate from the Ministry of Culture is required to export cultural and historical artifacts abroad. No such permits were provided to customs officials.
Kyiv Customs drew up a report on the violation of customs regulations under Part 2 of Article 473 of the Customs Code of Ukraine. The helmet was seized pending a court decision.
Earlier, officers of the Foreign Intelligence Service returned to Ukraine a rare antique book bearing the signature of Metropolitan Sheptytsky. An inscription has been preserved in one of the book’s margins: “Presented during the canonical visitation of 1902, on May 10, in the village of Kosteniv,” followed by the signature: “Andrey Sheptytsky.”
