Trumpeter helmet of Napoleon III’s Imperial Guard ‘Empress’ Dragoon, 1856

[Oberstoskar]

After visiting the Cavalry museum in Saumur, I am inspired to collect French cavalry helmets.

Although Napoleon’s French Army were defeated, these helmets and their armor were interesting.

I would be grateful if fellow members can help answer these questions:

1) How to clean and straighten the red horse hair?

2) How to polish the brass helmet?



Thanks!

 

[michiel]

I would you advise not to polish the brass helmet, it has a beautiful patina, a lot of us consider it a shame to polish metal helmets by removing the patina,
for the horse hair: maybe use a bit of steam (for instance such a small steamer for clothes)

 

[2nd.Leibhusar]

...never, never, never ever polish a helmet like that !
You'll be polishing the history and your money away !
Please leave the beautiful patina on it

 

[Khukri]

Very nice,
-and please:
do not straighten anything.
and...the brass has patina...do not shine it please. You would ruin the helmet. Just dust it. That's it.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Gunner who?]

I used to collect French seconde Empire cavalry Helmes myself for a couple of years , but I never had a Dragoon of the Guards, let alone a trumpeter. Great and very rare helmet!

Cheers Peter

 

[911car]

It is a beautiful helmet. As everybody else said, do not shine it if you can resist!
But since every rule has an exception, here is the only instance when I had to polish a cavalry helmet:

 

[Lars13]

Can you also show the "after" pictures?

 

[911car]

Can you also show the "after" pictures?

Sure!

 

[Sandmann]

Wonderful result Bruno. Well done

 

[2nd.Leibhusar]

that is amazing, Bruno !

 

[coert65]

Excellent Bruno!

 

[John Josef]

WOW, how'd you redo that Wappen ? Did you repaint that black?

Doesn't even look like the same helmet just an incredible result.

 

[Khukri]

Great job Bruno!!

 

[911car]

WOW, how'd you redo that Wappen ? Did you repaint that black?

Very easy, John. Use China ink, which is water-based. Can be removed in no time with no damage if needed.

 

[Lars13]

Sure!

Talk about a successful cleanup! Very nice

 

[John Josef]

Very easy, John. Use China ink, which is water-based. Can be removed in no time with no damage if needed.

From what I can see you did an outstanding job.

 

[Oberstoskar]

Sure!

Wonderful result Bruno. Well done! Any info on how to polish? Did you use same stuff to polish the silver and the gilt?