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The 5th Volunteer Battalion of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) had a lineage that stretched from 1862 but they were disbanded rather ingloriously in 1897. Their history began with the formation of the 4th Administrative Battalion, Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers on 14 May 1862. This was...

Thanks for your note - I've had this helmet for years but I never intended to buy it, it just came with a box of other stuff! You're spot on about dating these helmets being a minefield, there doesn't seem to have been be a lot of indepth research carried out into them and what information there...

The M33 helmet, designated Elmetto Modello 1933 in Italian, was the standard combat helmet of the Italian forces during the Second World War with the design remaining in use until circa 1992. The Italian army had previously worn the French Adrian helmet from their entry into the First World War...

Many thanks for your post - I agree that having some understanding of the history behind these items increases their appreciation. When this helmet came into my possession there was only the name ‘C Hope’ on the transit tin along with his initials CH on the helmet liner. Researching the unit’s...

Pictured below is an officer’s helmet from my collection from the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers of the style worn from circa 1887 to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. This helmet is named internally and on the name plaque on its transit tin to Lieutenant-Colonel...

The 1st Administrative Battalion, Berwickshire Rifle Volunteers was formed in November 1863. Berwickshire is a historic county in south-eastern Scotland bordering England which is known for its coastline, agriculture and the Lammermuir Hills. The county is named after Berwick-upon-Tweed but this...

Thanks for posting - it's interesting to see an example of this helmet worn with the undress spike top in lieu of the horsehair plume. I've always thought that the British Yeomanry leather helmets had been inspired by the Prussian Model 1842 pickelhaube but the 'flaming grenade' style of the...

Hi Sandy, many thanks for your note - very much appreciated!

Hi Steve, many thanks for your note - your family members would certainly have been aware of the National Covenant!

The helmet below is that of a regular officer of the 26th Regiment (The Cameronians) which was worn between 1879 to circa 1881 when the regiment became The Cameronians (Scotish Rifles) and the helmet design changed. The helmet plate shows the silver Mullet from the Coat of Arms of the Douglas...

The Cameronians are unique within the British Army as they were the only regiment to have had a religious foundation. Their origin lies in the religious conflict between the perceived English Episcopal (and latterly Catholic) doctrine and practises of the Stuart Kings, Charles II and James II &...

Thanks for your note - your kind feedback is much appreciated! The helmet plate is made up of five separate parts with one of these being a green enamelled metal disc which sits behind the pierced silver circle. It certainly makes for a distinctive look to the helmet!

The Royal Scots, the 1st Regiment of Foot and holders of the coveted position at the right of the line were the oldest regiment in the British Army and the senior regiment of infantry. They were formed in 1633 when Sir John Hepburn, under a Royal Warrant granted by King Charles I, raised...

Hi Thomas, Many thanks for your kind comments and posting the photos of your helmet! It is a stunning item from quite a rare regiment. It's also good to see an example with the black horeshair plume. An interesting point on your helmet is that it is fitted with lions head ear bosses which I...

Many thanks for your kind comment! Fortunately when I got the helmet it was still in its original tin case with the feather plume also in its separate tin storage cylinder. This undoubtedly helped to keep it intact but it is quite fragile so it needs to be handled with even more care than a...

Many thanks for reviewing the post and your kind comment!

Thanks for your note - it's a very attractive helmet which I was fortunate to be able to pick up some years ago. The heavens certainly weep regularly over Glasgow - the city is known as the 'Dear Green Place' on account of its many parks which the regular rainfall ensures stay 'green'!

Shown below is an example from my collection of the 1847 pattern 'Albert' helmet worn by the Queens Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry fitted with the dark green cock's feather plume used for parades. The regiment continued to wear this style of helmet even after most other yeomanry regiments had...

A meeting of prominent Glasgow residents was held in the city in August 1848 which proposed forming a new corps of Volunteer Cavalry. As Lanarkshire and Ayrshire already supported their own yeomanry regiments, it was probably felt that a city of such importance as Glasgow should do likewise...

Hi Thomas, Many thanks for posting these! They are outstanding examples, a great collection - it's especially interesting to see an 1842 helmet! Cheers, Jamie