The pickelhaube was the standard combat head wear of the Imperial German Army until it was replaced by the stahlhelm. The pickelhaube had old Prussian origin, first being officially use by the Prussian Army in the 1840s. The helmet was made of metal and leather, with a polished brass spike on the top. During the first world war, the Pickelhaube was issued with a canvas cover to prevent it from glaring and giving away the soldier's position. Some soldiers even removed the impractical spike. The pickelhaube provided little protection against shrapnel, so it was replaced by more protective steel helmets in 1916. The pickelhaube is a very famous historical helmet and is still worn today by the Swedish and Chilean armies.