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Edinburgh, as the capital city of Scotland, has a long history of Militia units which would be too extensive to detail in this short description. The Militia was part-time military service with the members being called out at a time of war or other national requirement. The main distinction...

Thanks for your note - yes, it is in very good condition for its age. I think it was little used as Lt Salwey resigned not long after he was likely to have received his helmet. Clearly it has been well stored over the last 150 years having been kept away from direct sunlight and moths. I only...

Militia units had been raised in Scotland for centuries mostly for a home defence role as a reaction to short term emergencies. The Militia Act of 1852 was passed during a period of international tension to enable the raising of units within counties. These were to be filled on a voluntary basis...

The Jacobite roots of the 71st (Highland) Light Infantry were in the regiment raised in 1777 by John Mackenzie, the eldest son of the Earl of Cromartie (the modern spelling now being ‘Cromarty’). He had the title of ‘Lord MacLeod’ and fought with his father’s clan for the Jacobites in the Battle...

I attach a link below to an internet page which gives a breakdown of the movements of the various HLI battalions which may assist you to narrow down your grandfather’s unit. Only the 5th, 6th and 7th battalions were part of the 157th (HLI) Brigade which appear to have served in Gallipoli, Egypt...

Hi Brian, Many thanks for your note! It’s interesting to hear that your grandfather was in the HLI during the First World War. Sadly, as you say, a great many of the individual records were lost when the London storehouse was bombed in the Blitz. As you know, all regiments were expanded...

The Highland Light Infantry (nicknamed ‘Hells Last Issue’) were a light infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 71st (Highland) Light Infantry (as the 1st Battalion) and the 74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot (as the 2nd Battalion). The 71st had been...

My understanding is that the Schutzmannschaft (protection unit) were a police unit.

It looks to be complete and generally in very good condition. Unfortunately I don't really know what a helmet to this unit would be likely to be worth - hopefully one of the more knowledgeable forum members will be able to give you a ball-park estimate.

Pictured below is likely to be an OR's - the one you're looking at seems to have a gilt finish and a better qualty plate so possibly an officers although there are no pearls around the spike base.

Looks like an officers helmet of the schutzmannschaft from the Grand Duchy of Hesse dating from circa 1899 to possibly 1918 with the intertwined initials 'EL' for the last Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig Karl Albrecht Wilhelm.

Hi Patrick, Yes, this one came from the L&T sale. When I went to view it, it appeared to be a fairly early helmet from the GY as it had the regimental pattern of plume stem (later helmets I’ve seen reverted to the standard Dragoon pattern) and was quite heavy even for a ’47 pattern, which...

Thanks John, much appreciated! Now I just need to get the plume to 'hang' correctly!

I recently managed to add this 1847 pattern ‘Albert’ officer’s helmet of the Queens Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry to my collection – I already have another with the dark green cock-feather plume but this has the black horse hair version. I pictured my first helmet and outlined the history of this...

It's post-1902 from the crown on the Imperial Coat of Arms but the regiment continued to wear full dress for particular occasions during the period between the first and second world wars. From its condition, and by comparison with others in the RHF museum in Glasgow, I think it dates from the...

Thanks Rob, I'm fortunate in being able to keep the bulk of my collection behind glass but the bearskins respond well to the occasional shake!

When The Earl of Mar’s Regiment was formed in 1678 they were loyal to King Charles II and were formed to oppose the Covenantors who were taking up arms in support of Presbyterianism. By the Glorious Revolution in 1688, their support for the openly Catholic King James II & VII had waned and they...

Pictured below is an officer’s bearskin of the Royal Scots Fusiliers made up from a wicker frame covered by the pelt of a black bear with an adjustable leather liner and chinstrap. The regiments fused grenade badge with the post-1902 Imperial Royal Crest in gilt finish is fixed to the front with...

The Royal Scots Fusiliers were one of the oldest line infantry regiments of the British Army existing from 1678 until 1959. They were initially raised by Charles Erskine, the 5th Earl of Mar, in 1678 and were titled ‘The Earl of Mar’s Regiment’ as at that time regiments would be named after...

I think that this was very rare – the 5th VB Scottish Rifles are the only battalion I know off which was compulsorily ordered to disband. By the 1890's there had been a number of reforms aimed at raising the standard and efficiency of the volunteer units. Unfortunately it would seem that this...