1843/53/60 Kurassier helmet

This seems to have been at least partially restored. The shell, spike, liner and chinscales look OK to me, though in pretty rough shape. The wappen and the cockade I have doubts about. Not sure what to make of the wappen. In addition to the poor quality (especially around the eagle's head and crown), there appears to be the outline of reserve cross and 4 holes to hold it on. Someone went to the trouble to solder the bandeau onto it (which appears to be better quality than the eagle). Hmmm. The markings seduced me into overlooking the wappen deficiencies. (K.1.3.35). Very curious to hear people's opinions

The helmet has gone through a few transformations and seen some heavy use but in my opinion it is all authentic as these continued to be issued up through the Franco-Prussian War. I think its got a real story to tell.

The eagle looks like it had a Reserve cross that was removed and the holes plugged with small circles soldered in. Odd

The eagle is cast but this is not unusual for early eagles and there is discussion of these here in 2018. Although possibly issued as a kurassier helmet originally, I suspect this piece may have been produced (or reissued) to a Landwehr Reiter unit. The helmet was then re-issued to a kurassier regiment again later. The old plate was retained but the holes for the landwher cross were filled and the 1860 bandeau was just attached over it.

Posted by Skipper John

Great helmet! Rob