Military Store Display- Model 1881 Dress Helmet SOLD

Description

Here is a wonderful example of the Model 1881 infantry dress helmet, for company grade officers, that never adorned a head. A couple of things give it away, after the one inspecting understands two significant aspects.  One, the helmet shows a constant fading to the wool body due to exposure of sunlight.  Secondly; the confusing use of “US” on the shield of the helmet plate (an anomaly I had never encountered or heard of).

With study comes the realization that not only did the helmet receive too much sun, it had to have been stationary for a great deal of time.  The right front from visor upward, then moving toward the rear, begins to reveal a perfectly uniform fading as you look around the rear, and back again toward the front left side. The light has created a dark undisturbed shadow beneath the chinstrap and chain extension.  The gilt on metal helmet fixtures is near perfect (allowing for some handling over the years), The sweatband and interior are nearly untouched as well, showing no  use from normal everyday wear, other than the occasional individual who just has to try everything on.  Some stitching that holds the chin chain to the leather backing is loose in a few areas. The storage tin retains most of the original black japanning, and has the Horstmann label applied.  A few dings and scratches; it did its job.

Assuming the military goods dealer was also a good marketer, he would not have chosen a regimental number, and offend officers of another unit, yet in a thoughtful move, found the correct, neutral insignia (silver US) to go in that location on the shield.  I agonized for a while wondering if an officer on detached duty from his regiment to staff, might have been authorized to do this.  I found no regulation regarding this.

My disappointment at first seeing this piece and the fading, soon gave way to another aspect in headgear collecting; that being,  the marketing side.  Made by Horstmann Bros & Co., Philadelphia, I wonder if this could have been in their establishment, and seen by the multitude of national guard and regular army officers shopping for their uniform components.  This represents the first step in appreciating the collecting of anything;  first; who sold it (or made it) and then came the history of the man who wore it.

USPS Priority $30.