A superb example of the extremely rare Regency period Officers Shako of the 17th Light Dragoons pattern 1812. See plate 19 “Head dresses of the British Army” – Cavalry by W. Y. Carman (pictured above).
The condition of this helmet is outstanding and possibly never worn. The Regiment history states “1812 .. the old helmet disappeared and the felt shako took its place”. After service in India from 1808 having landed in Calcutta with 790 strong, the regiment lost through disease, invalided and killed in action 26 Officers and 796 men but received numerous reinforcements during this period. It returned home with no less than 200 all ranks. On arriving in St. Helena in 1823 they learnt for the first time that they had been redesignated as a Lancer Regiment. It is also recorded that “the shako was discarded forever and a lance cap of the more orthodox shape introduced in its place”.
Close examination of this helmet shows almost no wear with even the complete chin strap in perfect condition. The maker’s placement of a Coat of Arms indicates a Scottish maker as the main Lion and Unicorn are reversed with first and fourth quarter of the shield depicting the Lion rampant of Scotland.
Being over 200 years old, Shakos of this quality virtually never survive. A truly magnificent example to an extremely popular regiment.
SOLD
The 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment Officers 1855 Pattern Shako, an extremely fine and rare example, the black beaver covered body with sunken patent leather top similar bottom bracing band and front and rear peaks, correct bronze gorgon’s head at the back for ventilation. Broken and incomplete leather chin strap but with very good leather sweatband and silk attached liner. Good frontal plate correct and original to the helmet. Plume holder although original is not of the 1855 pattern but correct wool ball. The helmet is in excellent condition with very good beaver body.
Excellent condition SOLD
A Boer War period possibly Yeomanry Khaki Drill Tunic. Five buttons with pleated breast pockets, red facings (collar, cuffs & shoulder straps), Buttons not sewn on as eyelets in place. Stand up collar suggests early Boer War.
Very Good Condition SOLD
British Officers red tunic to the 30th Regiment, White facings and bullion insignia for a captain, gilt buttons with Victorian crown over 30 (Cambridgeshire). Making this an early tunic prior to becoming the East Lancashire Regiment.
A few snail trails otherwise good condition SOLD
Hallmarked (1915) silver nurses hip flask engraved “L. D. Meares 6th L. H. RGT. A.I.F.”
Sister Louisa Devenish Meares saw most of her service in Salonika with a brother (Charles Dycester Devenish Meares) serving with the 6th Light Horse. Possibly a gift from her brother or she could have been looking after the wounded from the 6th L.H (staying close to her brothers unit). Rare to find an Australian WW1 nurses attributed item. Further research could only enhance this interesting piece.
Note: Measures 14 cm x 9.5 cm
VF SOLD
A scarce ROYAL MARINE Foreign Service Helmet post 1905 when the Home Service Helmet was discontinued for the Marines. Classic six panels of white cloth with leather sweatband and regulation eight cork spacers. Plate appears original to the helmet with no multiple holes. Size 7 stamp plus what appears to be a Regimental number 2618 which is also present on the separate (almost impossible to find) storage helmet cover. Overall the helmet is in very good condition and retains its attractive shape.
Very good condition SOLD
Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Officer’s Helmet c. 1881 – 1901. Blue cloth skull complete with all gilt metal fittings, spike pattern finial, chin chain and spine. The helmet plate with crowned star back plate with laurel and Garter overlays, in the centre on a ground of green velvet a strung bugle horn with castle and red velvet feathers, one hook and two stud fasteners, the green velvet with fading, internally complete with original leather sweat band and silk lining in excellent condition. Overall condition is very good.
SOLD
SECOND LIGHT HORSE 1930-42 full dress Wolseley Helmet, Typical seven pleat puggaree complete with acanthus leaf base and spike. Light Horse badge is original to the helmet with no extra holes and is further attached with fine cotton. Liner and leather sweatband in excellent condition with makers label J. Compton London. Complete with chin chain and japaned storage tin. Also included are a pair of original dog tags named to QX 6236 Captain R.A.G.Muir. This helmet was originally part of the well-known General Jess Australian collection. In very good condition.
SOLD
An extremely rare 1855 Pattern Shako to the 40th Foot. Actual Shako is true to pattern with front and back peaks with gorgon’s head at the back for ventilation. Officers lining in good condition but some separation from the complete leather sweat band. Complete with unbroken chin strap and worsted ball minus its holder. Heavy loss of knap to sides of shell. The two gold bands suggest rank of Colonel or Lt. Colonel. Helmet plate appears original to the helmet. The stand out feature of this shako is the AUSTRALIAN MADE (probably STOKES) Helmet plate making it one of the earliest badges made in the colony. This plate is acknowledged among the advanced collectors in Australia and one was included on an old Stokes pattern board sold a number of years ago. I am reluctant to clean this badge which shows some gilt particularly to the reverse suggesting Officers pattern which is in keeping with the helmet.
The 40th Foot served a second time in Australia in 1852 and in October 1854 quelled an uprising at Eureka Stockade going on to serve in New Zealand 1860 to 1866 prior to the introduction of the 1869 Shako. The lack of motto and garter strap may indicate a late 1844 interim Officers Star shape plate prior to the issue of the 1855 shako and simply carried over.
Helmet plate of the highest rarity SOLD
A Good example of a MORION circa 1600. Two piece skull with tall roped comb and turned over ribbed borders. All rivets present, Armourers mark close to forward point. One small hole in comb for display purposes.
Very Good Condition SOLD
German M1916 Helmet "Sniper Brow Plate" or Stirnpanzer PLUS M16 WW1 German Helmet. Chin strap to helmet has a clean break but retains ALL furniture. Good Leather liner with 3 leather pockets (one empty) and one marked with owners name "P.Weihs". Front plate in good condition but strap broken with remnant of strap. This is totally new to the market with impeccable provenance having been found in the roof of a house being demolished and having never been in a collectors hands.
Overall good condition SOLD
World War 1 German pickelhaube reversible manoeuver helmet cover. Four correctly stitched eyelets with correct brass hooks for helmet retention. Spike top held by tabs to allow for ventelation. No tears or mothing. Very good condition.
SOLD
Single officers epaulette. 90th Foot. Perthshire Light Infantry. Circa 1829-1855. As worn by the 90th Regiment whilst stationed in Werstern Australia (Commanding Officer Major R. Bush) 1847-1849
Scarce item with a colonial connection. Good Condition SOLD
WW1 'Brodie' with extremely scarce Middle East cover (Mesopotamia). This cover is undoubtedly the rarest of all WW1 head dress items and is never seen. The dome and flap of cover is in extremely good condition however, there is some separation caused by the sharp edge of the helmet.
Good Condition SOLD
Two extremely rare WW1 Cap tallys. First is to H.M.A.S. Sydney and the other is to S.M.S. Emden. These two Tallys were originally purchased in the 1960's in a Princess Mary chocolate tin from a junk shop, by a well known Australian collector. This collector acquired an original German WW1 "donald duck" cap in order to display the Emden tally.
Both Tally's are in Superb condition and are not cut short. Extremely rare and significant items with excellent provenance.
SOLD
A Rare white Cloth State of Victoria Colonial 6 panel Pith Helmet complete with badge for the Victorian Military Forces which is original to the helmet. The badge is an Officers issue gilt on a silver star and is circa 1893. The elongated neck and body is still quite firm, with excellent puggaree. Good condition leather sweat band with sound silk attachment. Internal body has full quilting. Complete with leather lined chin chain.
Colonial helmets are now considered extremely rare in this country and only seem to appear as a result of old collections being dispersed.
Good condition SOLD
Wurtenburg Artillery Other Ranks Issue Kratzchen. Maker Marked "Deutsche Industrie"
Main body of cap in superb condition. A few small wear spots, where liner is attached to main body. Otherwise in excellent condition.
SOLD
AN IMPERIAL GERMAN ARTILLERY OFFICERS PICKELHAUBE CIRCA 1900 A very sound leather skull with excellent lacquer. Ball top secured by four stars complete with original nuts and washers. Unusual and Original to helmet is the plate with FWR centre (Friedrich Wilhelm Rex). Good unbroken chin scales complete with cockades. Liner in particularly good condition with no damage.
Overall, in excellent condition SOLD
A rare Georgian Officers coatee in amazing condition circa 1810. Scarlet cloth with dark blue facings, complete with all its gilt buttons (40) and gilt metal stringed bugles on the wings. Buttons back marked H T & D being Hammond Turner & Dixon 1800-1812. Some stain & moth under the armpits otherwise in outstanding condition. Good to see all buttons present which are in superb gilt with LV in the star.
SOLD
An extremely scarce Boer War Pattern 1888 six pocket Bandolier. Australian made and marked with provenance. This Bandolier belonged to 585 Oswald Pentry Gayer who joined the Australian Commonwealth Horse on the 9.1.1902. 3 pouches are marked with 615 on the flap. Tongue Has A C over 615 plus maker Herbert Carter & Co., Melbourne. These Bandoliers are becoming extremely difficult to obtain particularly in good condition with no flaps missing or torn.
Overall good condition SOLD
An outstanding WW1 Austrian/German M18 camouflage Steel helmet. Typical 3 colour camouflage with black dividing lines. The rarity of this helmet is the overpainting of white squares with a red cross. The original three-pad leather liner is in reasonable condition with all eyelets present. One pad is still stuffed with another leaking contents. A couple of what appears to be burn marks to leather but does not detract.
Showing wear but overall good condition SOLD
Prussian NCO Garde - Schutzen (Jager) Schirmmutze.
Lovely condition, with superb liner. Remarkable given age.
SOLD
A very good example of an ORs Jager Zu Pferd lobster tailed cavalry helmet. Great makers plate on the inside "Nerm. Weissenburger Cannstatt" (doubles as washer to hold spike). Body of helmet completely blacked including helmet plate. Complete with original chin strap and cocardes. Liner showing some wear, but complete.
Good condition. SOLD
A great example of a Prussian OR's Kurassier Regt helmet. Maker stamped on inside "Otto Nachtigall Berlin 1915" (impressed on inside to main body of helmet at base of spike). Another cracking example of a lobster tail helmet complete with chinstrap, both cocardes and exceptional black leather liner.
Very good Condition SOLD
