~ French Second Empire Cuirassiers Helmet c1840-55 ~
A nice example of a French Second Empire Cuirassiers Helmet.
The helmet has a polished brass skull with an ornately decorated brass comb atop, the front bearing a flaming grenade and the face of Medusa. The comb is topped with short tufted black horsehair.
The lower half of the helmet being covered in a black coated leather which covers the majority of the front and rear visors.
On the left side of the helmet is a small brass plume holder.
The helmet has leather chin straps with brass chains attached to decorated circular brass bosses.
The interior retains its original leather headband/liner.
~ Dimensions ~
The helmet measures 27cm (10 ½ inches) front to back and 19cm (7 ½ inches) from side to side with a height (including comb) of 32cm (12 ½ inches).
It has an inner circumference of 56cm (22 inches).
It weighs 1.3 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The brass comb has a couple of splits along the upper edge.
There is a small split to the front of the brass skull along the edge.
The end of one side of the chin straps has come away, but the majority remains.
The helmet in general has signs of wear as you would expect but overall is in a very nice condition and is a lovely example.
Please see images for further details and condition.
ML