DRAGOON OFFICER'S HELMET, model 1872 modified 1874, Third Republic. 27773

OFFICER'S HELMET OF DRAGOONS, model 1872 modified 1874, Third Republic. 27773

Stamped bomb with a swing arm, in nickel-plated hammered metal, pierced at the top with three suction holes. Height of the bomb 11.5 cm.
Visor inclined at 53 degrees below a horizontal plane passing through the junction of the visor and the bomb. Edged with a 7.1 mm wide gilt copper circle placed astride its edges and fixed at the ends with a rivet. Underside of the visor in waxed green leather. Visor width 5.5 cm.
Nape cover composed of: a circular band on its flat side, welded under the posterior edge of the extending band, it features three brass half-spherical headed nails riveted inside; a second concave band, forming a groove, with rounded angles and welded inside, at the bottom of the first one. Similar to the visor, the nape cover is bounded by a 7 mm wide gilt copper setting, placed astride. It is lined with black waxed leather.
Gilt copper headband stamped with a flaming grenade surrounded by laurel leaves, adherent to the bomb. Its base rests on the visor and its ends are riveted to the bomb in the area hidden by the rosette of the chinstrap. Height of the headband at the front 6.5 cm.
Each chinstrap is composed of 10 decorative scales in embossed cut gilt copper with relief laurel leaves, decreasing in width (max width 4.2 cm, min width 2 cm). These scales are attached by flattened wire staples on a core of black velvet-lined leather. At the other end, a black varnished calf leather strap.
Upper scale of each chinstrap fixed to the bomb using a lock and a circular rosette stamped with relief laurel leaves, diameter 5.3 cm.
The bomb is topped with a gilt copper crest composed of two fins, a mask, and a covering.
The fins, placed vertically at a distance of 4.9 cm in front and 3.3 cm behind each other, have the shape of a convex curvilinear triangle at the top, connecting to the bomb by its concave base forming a scalloped edge.
This edge is attached to the bomb by 4 copper round-headed screws stopped inside the helmet by square copper nuts.
The fins are decorated with palmettes and a border net at their upper edge; the edge is adorned with water leaves, all embossed in relief.
A tin-plated plate connects the upper edges of the fins, fixing their spacing.
The mask acting as the front junction of the two fins by means of a weld, is embossed with a relief Medusa head. The covering, also embossed, represents the continuation of the Medusa's hair with intertwined serpents.
Black dyed horsehair mane, mounted on a strong nourished cow leather sole, in which the hair is assembled with tinned brass threads with a piece of sheepskin glued with strong glue on the assembly; the empty space between the two rows of hair is filled with a braid that starts at the top and follows the crest curve up to the junction with the bomb. Mane length approximately 60 cm.
Gilt copper stamped plume holder, height 3.5 cm, forming a square section socket, fixed obliquely and engraved with a laurel leaf on each of its faces.
Black leather inner lining, cut with seven loup teeth, each fitted with a metal eyelet.

France.
Third Republic.
Very good condition.