Description
Physical description
Helmet & tin:
Helmet made of cork, covered in midnight blue cloth with four seams. The helmet features a cruciform spike base and removable spike finial with a curb chain, side rosettes, rear spine and peak trim of gilt metal. The seven-point star plate is also of gilt metal and is of three parts, the centre piece made of silver, featuring three horizontal canon balls above three vertical Guns. The Crown that surmounts the star plate is a Queen's Crown (1878-1902). The rear peak is bound in patent leather.
Inside, the front and rear peaks are lined with green cloth (infested) and there is a sweatband of cream leather with a red silk lining band above.
The carriage tin is of the standard conical type with carrying handle but is externally rust.
Label
This helmet is an example of the Home Service Helmet that was conventionally adopted by most regiments and corps of the British Army from 1878. The design was heavily influenced by the pickelhaube helmet worn by the Prussian army from 1842 and copied by Britain following the German success of the Franco-Prussian War.
The helmet was worn in Full Dress and for Field Service Dress (within the UK), the curb chain being worn at the chin whilst on official duty but then draped over the peak and suspended from the spike base (low left, high right) when in Walking Out dress. Non-commissioned ranks wore a simplified version, the front peak being rounded, and bound with patent leather, and the plate being of two-piece stamped construction with other metal fittings being less defined.
The Home Service Helmet was phased out from being a standard uniform item when Full Dress was abolished in 1914, however, some officers continued to purchase it well into the 1930s and it was often seen on various State occasions and can still be seen today worn by some military bandsmen.
This example was worn by the grandfather of presentee's late husband.
History note
This helmet is an example of the Home Service Helmet that was conventionally adopted by most regiments and corps of the British Army from 1878. The design was heavily influenced by the pickelhaube helmet worn by the Prussian army from 1842 and copied by Britain following the German success of the Franco-Prussian War.
The helmet was worn in Full Dress and for Field Service Dress (within the UK), the curb chain being worn at the chin whilst on official duty but then draped over the peak and suspended from the spike base (low left, high right) when in Walking Out dress. Non-commissioned ranks wore a simplified version, the front peak being rounded, and bound with patent leather, and the plate being of two-piece stamped construction with other metal fittings being less defined.
The Home Service Helmet was phased out from being a standard uniform item when Full Dress was abolished in 1914, however, some officers continued to purchase it well into the 1930s and it was often seen on various State occasions and can still be seen today worn by some military bandsmen.
This example was worn by the grandfather of presentee's late husband.
History note
DEAF Building 10
History note
moved to Building 215, Room 78 03/Sept/2008