HELMET AND BREATHER OF AN OFFICER OF CUIRASSIERS, model 1858, Second Empire. 27741

HELMET AND BREATHER OF AN OFFICER OF CUIRASSIERS, model 1858, Second Empire. 27741

HELMET
Silver-plated copper bomb, gutter of the base of the bomb of the 1858 model with a simple round bangle. Depth of the bomb approximately 10 cm from the base of the gutter. Strong leather turban covered with an original navy cow headband, H on the sides 6 cm. Lacing at the back with ten eyelets. Visor (width 5 cm) and neck cover in silver-plated copper, both edged with a copper bangle folded astride the outer edge, both lined with black waxed leather.
Crest in stamped and gilded brass, composed of a mask (width 4.2 cm) stamped with a flaming bomb surmounted by a head of jellyfish in relief with above a crown of laurel and oak branches, it is attached to the bomb using a gilded brass screw; two fins (H max. 11.5 cm) struck with a decreasing series of eight gadroons framed with pearls, acanthus leaves and florets and in the upper part with a series of laurel leaves; the lower part is folded outside and decorated with acanthus leaves, each fin is fixed to the bomb using four gilded brass screws; cover plate stamped with a decoration depicting a braided mane. Brass crest ornament composed of an olive decorated with palmettes (H 3 cm), a socket with laurel branches (H 3 cm) and palmettes whose base is decorated with a small serrated disc, and a scarlet horsehair puff (H 5.5 cm). Mane of black horsehair 57 cm long. Plumet holder in gilded brass decorated with laurel branches, H 4.6 cm.
Chinstraps of the 1845 model; mounted on an iron chin rest covered in black velvet, covered with a series of 19 guilloché gilded brass rings in the shape of an intertwined 8. The two widest rings are in one piece with the round rosette stamped with a radiant sun, the rosette is fixed to the bomb using a guilloché screw in gilded brass, diameter of the rosette 6 cm.
Inner headdress in black waxed sheepskin cut into ten wolf teeth with iron-gilded edges.
Total helmet height 38.5 cm.
Very good condition, helmet having retained all its silvering and gilding.

CUIRASSIERS OFFICER'S BREATHER, model 1825, Second Empire.
Model adopted in 1825.
All brass parts are gilded. The plastron is garnished with eight round-headed rivets, and the back with six rivets.
Each of the two straps has a body in black cowhide, garnished with two double brass curb chains; the body is finished with a rectangular buttonhole plate, embossed with sandblasted laurel branches with a heart-shaped leather tip; the strap holder is made of brass with three rivets, the chain holder plates are covered by a lion's muzzle. Black patent leather belt with brass buckle.
Very good condition, leather of the two shoulder pads broken without missing and repaired with a piece of glued leather, interior of the bib and back blackened later.

France.
Second Empire.