OFFICER HELMET OF THE REPUBLICAN GUARD ON HORSEBACK, model 1876, Third Republic. 29567R
Helmet entirely made of nickel-plated metal with gilt brass fittings. It consists of a shell, a visor, a neck guard both rimmed with a brass strip folded over the outer edge, a headband, two chin straps, a crest, a mane made of black horsehair approximately 98 cm long, and a plume holder. All fittings are made of brass.
The shell, made in one piece, is stamped. It is pierced inside with 4 vent holes for ventilation. Visor lined with waxed green Morocco leather.
Front headband in embossed brass depicting two laurel branches tied together by a ribbon; in the center, above the branches, the coat of arms of the City of Paris is depicted.
Crest composed of two embossed fins showing a decreasing sequence of gadroons surrounded by a beaded ribbon and separated by an acanthus leaf and a fleuron. Each fin is attached to the shell by two brass screws; the mask is embossed with 4 horizontally striped ribbons separated by three smooth ribbons, at the bottom a palmette is embossed in relief, and at the top a head of Medusa, also embossed in relief; the top of the crest is partly covered at the front with a "covering plate" depicting in relief the locks of Medusa's head, soldered on the sides and pierced at the front.
Ornament of the crest consisting of an embossed brass olive with foliage, an embossed brass socket with laurel leaves, and a 5.5 cm high scarlet horsehair plume. This ornament is attached to the crest by a threaded brass rod.
Chin straps made of two leather chinpieces covered with black Morocco leather and a sequence of 10 scales cut in scallops and embossed with laurel leaves. The upper scale is a single piece with a round rosette embossed in relief with laurel leaves. Gilt brass plume holder engraved with acanthus leaves, square in shape and slightly tapered towards the bottom.
Interior lining made of sheepskin cut into seven wedge-shaped pieces, gilt at the edges.
France.
Third Republic.
Very good condition, chin straps of later manufacture.
Reference :
29567R