OFFICER'S DRAGOON HELMET, model 1872 modified 1874, Third Republic. 29565R
Stamped metal shell with a weighted tail, nickel-plated and planished with a hammer, pierced at the top with three ventilation holes. Height of the shell 11.5 cm.
Visor tilted at a 53-degree angle below a horizontal plane passing through the junction of the visor and the shell. Edged with a 7.1 mm wide gilded copper circle laid astride its edges and fixed at the ends by a rivet. Underside of the visor lined with black leather. Visor width 5.5 cm.
Neck guard composed of: a circular band on its surface, welded under the posterior edge of the band it extends, featuring three golden brass nails with half-spherical heads riveted inside; a second concave band, forming a groove with rounded angles and welded on the inside, at the bottom of the first. Like the visor, the neck guard is edged with a 7 mm wide gilded copper setting, laid astride. It is lined with black leather.
Gilded copper brow band embossed with a flaming grenade surrounded by laurel leaves, adhering to the shell. Its base rests on the visor, and its ends are riveted to the shell in the part concealed by the rosette of the chinstrap. Height of the band at the front 6.5 cm.
Each chinstrap is made up of 10 ornamental scales of embossed cut copper in relief of laurel leaves, decreasing in width (maximum width 4.2 cm, minimum width 2 cm). These scales are fastened with flattened wire staples on a leather core lined with black velvet. At the other end, a black varnished calf lining against the chinstrap.
Top scale of each chinstrap fastened to the shell by means of a lock and a circular rosette embossed with relief laurel leaves, diameter 5.3 cm.
The shell is topped with a gilded copper crest composed of two fins, a mask, and a cover.
The fins, placed vertically at a distance of 4.9 cm in front and 3.3 cm behind, take the form of a convex curvilinear triangle at the top and join the shell with a concave base forming a scalloped edge.
This edge is fixed to the shell with 4 round-headed copper screws stopped inside the helmet by square copper nuts.
The fins are adorned with palm leaves and a border at the top; the edge is embellished with water leaves, all embossed in relief.
A tinplate connects the upper edges of the fins, fixing their spacing.
The mask serving as the anterior junction of the two fins through a weld, is embossed with a relief head of Medusa. The cover, also embossed, represents the continuation of the Medusa head's hairline with intertwining snakes.
Black-dyed horsehair mane, mounted on a strong nourished cowhide base, in which the hair is assembled with tinned brass wires with a piece of leather glued with strong glue; the vacant space between the two rows of hair is filled with a braid that starts from the top and follows the crest curve until its junction with the shell. Mane length approximately 56 cm.
Embossed copper plume holder, height 3.5 cm, forming a square section sleeve, fixed obliquely and engraved with a laurel leaf on each of its faces.
Black leather interior lining gold stamped on its outer edges, notched with seven wolf teeth, each fitted with a metal eyelet.
Scarlet cock feathers plume, height 13 cm, mounted on a spring-tipped whalebone, height 20 cm. Olive pompon in silver cord.
France.
Third Republic.
Very good condition.
Reference :
29565R