Hi Bruno
of course you are right about correct definition Chevau-Leger without "x".
Congratulations, Once again you are showing us two perfect helmets with very interesting unit marks.
ciao
Gianluca
A Bavarian marked to the 2nd FAR (if I'm reading the markings correctly) Purchased in the 1970's with a beautiful Prussian plate. It's show with the correct plate next to it, which was purchased much latter, but I haven't attached it yet:
Nice helmet, wrong plate (and cockades, none when I bought it) ... It'll get fixed someday.
I agree, they are difficult to read and the impression from them is difficult to capture. On top is what looks like 1.F.B. or F.F.B. Below it, very lightly, is 2 F.A.R. . Like I said, the ink is almost gone, but the impression is still in the leather, even though the photo doesn't show it. So, I hope that helps!
Yeah, I just don't have the heart to remove that Prussian plate at this time, it fits so well and I don't have another helmet it would fit on, so I'm afraid it might get damaged out in the world all by itself. Until that time, I have the Bavarian plate (which I should clean up a bit... or maybe not yet. Decisive is my middle name).
There are also two extra holes behind the plate, so it's pretty clear there was a Bavarian plate on it at one time. I highly doubt that a soldier would move from Bavaria to Prussia and use his same helmet, just changing the plate.