Original French Model 1874 Steel and Brass Cuirassier Dragoon Helmet with Horsehair Tail & Pony Skin Band
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a heavily worn original French Model 1874 steel and brass cavalry helmet, of the cuirassier/dragoon type, retaining a desirable pony-skin band, leather-backed brass chinscales, black horsehair plume, and long horsehair tail. The helmet is incomplete and has seen substantial alteration and wear, but it retains several important original components and would make an excellent restoration project.
The steel helmet body is fitted with a brass comb embossed at the front with a flaming grenade, with decorative patterns extending along both sides. The comb itself shows considerable age and alteration, with all of the original rivets now missing. The few rivets still present appear to be later replacements.
Around the body of the helmet is a pony-skin band, which appears original and is one of the strongest surviving features of the piece. The hide remains visually impressive despite the overall worn condition of the helmet.
At the top of the comb is a black horsehair plume on a disc-shaped base. It is loose but sits well for display. The horsehair tail is attached by a screw and is only attached at one point, so it is loose.
The interior liner is completely absent, leaving the interior shell exposed. Because of the missing liner, altered comb hardware, loose plume, and screw-secured horsehair tail, this helmet is best considered a restoration-grade example.
Despite these condition issues, the combination of the Model 1874 steel and brass construction, embossed flaming-grenade comb, original-appearing pony-skin band, surviving leather-backed chinscales, black horsehair plume, and retained horsehair tail gives the helmet considerable visual and historical interest. With careful restoration and conservation, it could make a very strong display piece in a collection focused on late 19th-century French cavalry equipment.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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