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Auction: 3016 - Orders, Medals, Decorations & Militaria
Lot: 408

A Victorian Metal Helmet of Royal Artillery Interest.
An extremely rare (probably unique) helmet, with white metal skull similar in style to the 1847 "Albert" helmet of Heavy Cavalry, but formed in a single piece, with gilt edging, fitted with a finely-made gilt-brass plume-holder of Acanthus-leaf pattern, and an officer's headdress plate as worn on the RA Albert Shako (K&K Fig 803), sides of helmet with provision for mounting rosettes, the original lining now replaced by a chamois leather internal headband, red/white drooping horsehair plume (a small hole above helmet-plate); together with a gilt-brass chin-chain and set of rosettes

This helmet is believed to be a trial pattern produced in 1854-5 as a possible replacement for the Albert shako previously worn by the Royal Artillery. Other surviving trial patterns include a shako similar to the Infantry 1855 Pattern, now in the Royal Artillery Museum. Eventually the headdress selected was of course a busby resembling that of the RHA but without cords and with a side-mounted plume. The construction of this helmet, with skull formed in a single piece, is its most distinctive feature. The use of a plume in any colour other than the traditional white of the Royal Artillery is also surprising.

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Sold for
£2,000