Victorian Civil Service Rifles Volunteer Corps Officer’s Helmet

This is a Victorian Officer’s helmet for the Civil Service Rifles, Volunteer Corps. Despite the alliance between Britain and France during the Crimean War of 1854-56, a renewed fear of invasion by the French caused much concern with respect to Britain’s defensive capability. This surged dramatically in April 1859 following the outbreak of war between France and Austria-Hungary, with a growing newspaper campaign supporting the establishing of volunteer military corps. This is how the Rifle Volunteer Corps came about and later went on to become the Queen’s Westminsters.

This Helmet is made from grey cloth with blackened furniture. It features the Prince of Wales plumes on the front face beneath the Queen Victoria’s crown.

*Condition*

The helmet is in great condition for its age with some minor moth damage and light wear. The silk edging inside the helmet is mostly missing. Please see pictures for more detail as they form part of our condition report.

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