Yeohelmetguy
Well-known member
Hello All,
Another new home service helmet recently added to my collection, an other-ranks home service helmet to the 5th KENT (WEALD OF KENT) RIFLE VOLUNTEERS worn from 1880 to 1883.
The 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers can trace its linage back to 1860 with the formation of the 37th Kent Rifle Volunteer Corps. In 1861the 37th Kent Rifle Volunteer Corps was split into seven separate Rifle Volunteer Corps numbered 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44. These corps were then consolidated into the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent Rifle Volunteers. At the same time the 3rd Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteer Corps was added being transferred from the 1st Administrative Battalion of Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers. In 1877 the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent Rifle Volunteers was redesignated the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers. In 1880 this was consolidated as the 37th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteer Corps, being redesignated the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers later the same year. In 1881 the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent Rifle Volunteers was designated as one of the volunteer battalions of the Buffs, (The East Kent Regiment) and in 1883 retitled the 2nd (Weald of Kent) Volunteer Battalion, The Buffs (The East Kent Regiment). In 1908 the Battalion was again redesignated the 5th (Weald of Kent) The Buffs (The East Kent Regiment) (TF).
The helmet that is the subject of this post is an other-ranks pattern helmet as worn by the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers from 1880 to 1883. It is the standard pattern for other ranks, however instead of being covered in dark blue cloth this helmet, as was the case with a number of rifle volunteer corps, is covered in “rifle green” fabric. It has four vertical seams, and the front and rear peaks are bound in black leather. All of the helmet's fittings, the spike, cruciform spike base, ear rosettes, black leather-backed chin chain and helmet plate are all “blackened” metal. The helmet plate is a one piece die stamped plate in the shape of a Maltese cross surmounted by a Victorian Crown with a lion passant guardant between each arm of the cross. On the center of the cross, a circlet inscribed 5th WEALD OF KENT RIFLE VOLUNTEERS and within the circlet the White Horse of Kent above a scroll inscribed “INVICTA” against a red felt ground.
Please enjoy this new helmet to my collection and please feel free to comment.
Cheers,
David
Another new home service helmet recently added to my collection, an other-ranks home service helmet to the 5th KENT (WEALD OF KENT) RIFLE VOLUNTEERS worn from 1880 to 1883.
The 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers can trace its linage back to 1860 with the formation of the 37th Kent Rifle Volunteer Corps. In 1861the 37th Kent Rifle Volunteer Corps was split into seven separate Rifle Volunteer Corps numbered 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44. These corps were then consolidated into the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent Rifle Volunteers. At the same time the 3rd Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteer Corps was added being transferred from the 1st Administrative Battalion of Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers. In 1877 the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent Rifle Volunteers was redesignated the 5th Administrative Battalion of Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers. In 1880 this was consolidated as the 37th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteer Corps, being redesignated the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers later the same year. In 1881 the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent Rifle Volunteers was designated as one of the volunteer battalions of the Buffs, (The East Kent Regiment) and in 1883 retitled the 2nd (Weald of Kent) Volunteer Battalion, The Buffs (The East Kent Regiment). In 1908 the Battalion was again redesignated the 5th (Weald of Kent) The Buffs (The East Kent Regiment) (TF).
The helmet that is the subject of this post is an other-ranks pattern helmet as worn by the 5th Kent (Weald of Kent) Rifle Volunteers from 1880 to 1883. It is the standard pattern for other ranks, however instead of being covered in dark blue cloth this helmet, as was the case with a number of rifle volunteer corps, is covered in “rifle green” fabric. It has four vertical seams, and the front and rear peaks are bound in black leather. All of the helmet's fittings, the spike, cruciform spike base, ear rosettes, black leather-backed chin chain and helmet plate are all “blackened” metal. The helmet plate is a one piece die stamped plate in the shape of a Maltese cross surmounted by a Victorian Crown with a lion passant guardant between each arm of the cross. On the center of the cross, a circlet inscribed 5th WEALD OF KENT RIFLE VOLUNTEERS and within the circlet the White Horse of Kent above a scroll inscribed “INVICTA” against a red felt ground.
Please enjoy this new helmet to my collection and please feel free to comment.
Cheers,
David
