German spiked helmet or pickelhaube, 1914 (c)

In the First World War (1914-1918) the German pickelhaube was a favourite trophy for British soldiers, probably because of its iconic association with Prussia and Prussian militarism. Its image was often used on propaganda posters to incite animosity in Britain against Germany. In fact the earlier desire of the British Army to emulate the German Army meant that British Home Service helmets, and even police helmets, copied the design.