A Lovely Named 1st Dragoon Guards Officers Foreign Service Helmet

Price: £4000
International buyers welcome — prices shown in GBP (£). Please enquire for equivalent USD ($) or EUR (€) rates.

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Description 🔉

This rare early foreign service helmet dates to 1869-1873 and is of a pattern used by the 1st Dragoon Guards.

According to C.P. Mills' history of the pith helmet Jaunty Hat, page 216, the War Office directed regiments to provide cork helmets for foreign service in 1868. This helmet is a private purchase, officer's example, likely made by Hawke or Ellwood. The "REGULATION CORK HELMET" mark to the inside was intended to advertise its conformity to the new requirement.

The helmet tin is named to "C. Smith, Esq. 1st (Royal) Dragoons." The Army Lists show that a Corbet Smith served in the 1st (Royal) Regiment of Dragoons, becoming a Cornet on 18 Dec. 1863, was promoted lieutenant 24 Mar. 1869, and was promoted captain 26 Mar. 1873. He does not appear on Army lists after 1875, but per The London Gazette of March 6, 1883, "Corbet Smith, Esq., late Captain, 1st Dragoons, to be Captain" of the Leicestershire Yeomanry Cavalry. Smith does not appear to have served outside Britain, but still needed this helmet given that the 1868 War Office directive directed all regiments to acquire cork helmets regardless of location.

A simply fantastic, rare early foreign service helmet.

Seller Details

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Business Name: Raven Yard Antiques Shop
Name: Jan
Email: Enquiries@raven-antiques.com
Phone: 07454992481
Website: https://raven-antiques.com

Address:
21 Watergate, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK.
SY131DP

Note:
Raven Yard Antiques Shop is a family run business located in the picturesque part of Shropshire in the Roman town of Whitchurch. We have a diverse selection of rare and historic goods to choose from. Please browse our online store or else visit our shop to see some of our amazing items.

Legal Note

For antique firearms such as muskets and rifles, this item is offered strictly as a collectors’ piece. It is sold as a historic firearm for display or study purposes only, and not as a modern, live-firing weapon. Export, import, and ownership regulations vary by country; buyers are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local laws and confirming that they are not prohibited from ownership. In accordance with UK guidelines, the seller is required to verify the buyer’s identification and age prior to completion of the sale.