HELMET AND BREATHER OF AN OFFICER OF THE CUIRASSIERS OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD, model 1854, Second Empire. 27047
HELMET :
Bomb, visor and neck cover in silver-plated copper with gilded brass fittings. Visor and neck cover surrounded by a rush folded astride the outer edge and lined with a black waxed sheepskin. H of the bomb 14 cm. Frontal band in gilded brass stamped in relief with the crowned N placed on two laurel branches on a sandblasted background in relief. Crest composed of: two fins stamped with a series of 10 boxes decreasing towards the rear with a sandblasted bottom and bordered at the top with laurel leaves, the lower part is folded outwards cut into a festoon and fixed to the bomb ( each fin) by 4 round-headed golden brass screws; and a mask stamped in relief at the top of a jellyfish head, fixed at the bottom by a round-headed gilded brass screw. H of fins 12 cm, H of mask 14.5 cm, width of mask 4 cm. Crest ornament in gilded brass stamped in relief with twisted moldings on the socket and olive, at the base of the socket is placed a serrated and cut disc struck with laurel leaves; socket garnished with an aigrette of scarlet horsehair. H of the puff 5 cm, H of the socket 3.1 cm, diameter of the socket 2.6 cm, diameter of the lens 6 cm, H of the lens 2.6 cm, diameter of the toothed disc 3.8 cm. Mane of black officer's horsehair mounted on a leather sole, with braided silver thread braid, length approximately 75 cm. Chin strap composed of: two chin straps with gilded brass rings (diameter of the widest ring 3.3 cm, the least wide 1.8 cm), molded in relief and interlaced, fixed on a leather covered in black velvet; two round rosettes in gilded brass, diameter 5.3 cm, stamped in relief with laurel leaves attached to the bomb using a gilded brass screw. The chin straps of the Imperial Guard differ from the line model, due to the fact that the rosette and the first chin strap ring are two distinct parts in the Guard (guard armor and dragoons of the Empress), whereas they only form a block for the line (cuirassiers and dragoons). Golden brass plume holder in a round and tubular shape decreasing towards the bottom, decorated with laurel branches, H 4.3 cm. Inner cap in black waxed leather cut into seven wolf teeth. Total height of the helmet 35 cm.
Senior officer and staff plume in white curly rooster feathers with scarlet lower third. H of feathers 19 cm. Mounted on a rib terminated by a double steel spring. Total height 28 cm. Olive wooden pompom covered with silver cannetille thread 3.5 cm high.
Very good condition, leather on the chin straps damaged, small slit on the side of the headband and at the base of the crest mask, inner headdress worn with a torn and missing wolf tooth.
BREATHEAST:
Steel breastplate composed of a backrest and a breastplate. Breastplate in lightweight sheet steel, lined with 32 brass nails (including two flat heads under the straps). Complete with its needle holder hook and the hook for the pouch banner. Backrest in light sheet steel lined with 30 brass nails, topped with two straps. Each strap is attached to the backrest using a steel tab cut out and riveted using five round-headed nails. This paw is decorated with a lion's head stamped in relief in gilded brass, it forms a hinge with a large scalloped steel scale. This scale receives three gilded brass screws which allow the straps to be fixed, which are covered with a chain of links in the shape of an 8 intertwined in chiseled and gilded brass ending in a steel lock with patent leather tie rods cut into the shape of a molded heart hot embossed. Each lock is fitted with four round-headed golden brass screws. At the bottom, black patent leather belt with double roller brass buckle and steel pin.
Very good condition, very slight oxidation from use.
GIBERNE:
Wooden box covered in red morocco, sides in gilded brass. Black patent leather tab decorated with a radiant sun with the Imperial Arms in stamped gilded brass in its center, bordered with a plain gilded brass bangle, H 9.5 cm, width at the top 14 cm, width at the bottom 16 cm.
Banner in bleached buffalo, width 5.5 cm, with a relief seam on each side typical of the Imperial Guard, with all gilded brass fittings. On the rear part, buckle made up of a rectangular loop, a loop, the banner is finished with a fleuron.
Very good state.
KNIGHT’S CROSS OF THE LEGION OF HONOR, 1852-1871, Second Empire:
Silver and enamel star with five double rays with dappled points, white enameled, framed by a branch of light green enameled oak and laurel leaves. Gold obverse center representing the effigy of Emperor Napoleon I in profile, head to sinister, against a background of a radiant sun, bordered by a blue enamel scroll with the inscription in gold letters “NAPOLEON EMPEREUR” THE FRENCH ". Center of the reverse presenting the imperial eagle turned sinister, right wing passing behind its chest, on an azure field, bordered by a blue listel bearing the inscription “HONEUR ET PATRIE”.
Bail in the shape of a crown with eight beaded arches decorated with eagles, topped with an orb with a cross, independent and mobile, orb crossed by a smooth suspension ring. The crown has a hook inside to be passed through the suspension ball of the easel located between the two upper branches of the cross.
Ribbon.
Total H with bail 62 mm; diameter 41 mm.
Madder sheet support with two-prong brass buckle fastening tab fixed at the top
Very good state.
France
Second Empire.
Reference :
27047