1872 Cavalry Dress Helmet – SOLD

Description

One of the rarest of American headgear of any era is the Enlisted 1872 mounted helmet, this one for cavalry (the other being light artillery). This one was made by Bent & Bush, Boston, and their label is affixed to the inside of the body (mostly there with some of the paper torn away).

During the period prior to the Civil War, the US Army modeled its uniform after the French patterns, and that continued until the defeat of the French in the Franco -Prussian War, were the army began to adopt the Prussian style. The American version was much cheaper in quality being only a thin pressed felt body.  The mounted horse hair plume suspended from the brass holder on base which was held in place with brass wire, as well as the helmet plate.

Helmet cords embellished the helmet body, with cording extending down upon the uniform, crossing over the shoulders and then hung on a uniform button displaying the pair of waffles and tassels.  The purpose of these was to allow the trooper to keep his helmet if he was separated from it. This helmet cord was made in one piece, fore and aft cording all worked as one, with the long cording that extended down was sewn onto the main cords (as well as being mounted within the mounting ring affixed to the helmet.

The cords and plume show fading to the color which is typical. The body is grayish in color, it too being faded by sunlight.

The helmet has had some restoration. The lining was completely gone, and the Bent & Bush leather tab lining was replaced it being newly made. There has been some question as to the originality of the chin strap to the helmet. The chin strap is original, whether or not to the helmet I do not know. The condition of the strap is identical to the condition of the leather banding on the helmet body. The buttons are 1881 pattern and are slightly different from the ’72 pattern.  We don’t now the circumstances under which this helmet was used for by whom, but the most important component is their and in good shape….the helmet body.  If there is any concern with missing period parts it is a minor problem as those items are available, such as the side buttons.  I just don’t want to change everything to conform to regulations when I don’t know the true history of this helmet.

The reason these helmets are so scarce, is do to the cheap quality of the material they were made from; the hard use they saw were most of the cavalry of this period was in the west; and what did not get destroyed was cut down to conform to the new 1881 helmets (The “lobster tail back was shortened then reused per the new regs).

A rare helmet and a great investment.

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