HELMET AND BREASTPLATE FOR THE CARABINIERS OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD, 1858 model, Second Empire. 32152

HELME AND BREASTPLATE OF THE CARABINIERS OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD, model 1858, Second Empire. 32152

HELMET
Hammered brass shell in two parts joined by a fastener. Perforated at the top with two suction holes (Ø 2.5 cm). Height of the shell 14.5 cm.
Brass visor, width 5.5 cm. Its outer curve has a very obtuse angle in the middle, bordered by a white metal circle known as maillechort, laid over, 7 mm wide on each folded face, and fixed at each end with a rivet. Interior lining of black waxed leather.
Neck guard in brass bordered similarly to the visor, adorned with 3 brass studs on each side.
Tin band, stamped with two raised lines around its perimeter (4 mm wide). Height on the sides 3.6 cm. It has a rounded tip in the middle, 10.3 cm high, which joins the crest and is stopped by a half-spherical headed iron screw. The two ends of the band are riveted to the shell, near the chinstraps.
An embossed brass ornament in the middle of the band, representing a grenade surrounded by palm leaves, is fixed with two tempered iron screws, the heads of which are on the inside (Height of this ornament 7.8 cm; maximum width 7.2 cm).
Chinstraps composed of a strong leather chin strap covered with a decreasing series of interlaced 8-shaped brass rings. Length of the chin strap 20 cm; length of the part covered with rings 14.5 cm. Width of the top link: 4.6 cm. Width of the bottom link: 2.2 cm. In the middle of each chin strap, a flat brass hook is used to hold the rings. The right chin strap ends with brass curb chain and hook, the left chin strap ends with a simple hook.
Stamped round iron rosette (diameter 5.5 cm) with a protruding outer molding and struck at the center with a radiant sun. The rosette is connected to the chin strap rings by two brass rings and attached to the shell using a brass five-pointed star (diameter 2.6 cm) at the back of which a threaded rod is welded, passing through the shell.
Crest composed of two side wings and a mask, in brass. Each wing has a curvilinear triangle, the base of which connects to the shell with a scalloped border, 1.3 to 1.7 cm wide, adorned with small beadings. The wings are embossed with a frame of acanthus leaves and a laurel branch in relief in the middle, and laurel branches at the center. Each wing is fixed to the shell with two iron screws with half spherical heads. Maximum height of the wings 13.2 cm.
The mask serves to connect the two wings at the front, to which it is welded by its edges adorned with lines. It ends squarely at the top and at the bottom with a downturned edge that fits under the band and through the same screw. (Width of the mask at the top 3.5 cm; in the middle 2.2 cm; at the bottom 4 cm). It is fixed at the bottom by the screw at the top of the band.
Apart from being welded to the mask, the two wings are connected by a partition of tin welded between them.
Scarlet horsehair plume mounted on a steel wire. It extends about 5 cm beyond the crest (from the 1858 regulation, the mane will be cut to about 6 cm).
Black waxed leather interior cap cut into ten wolf's teeth, each with a metal eyelet.
Total height of the helmet 36 cm.
Good condition, slightly dented shell, missing lining of the neck guard, worn interior cap.

BREASTPLATE.
Model 1830 breastplate modified in 1854. In steel plated with a brass sheet, consisting of a backplate and a breastplate.
Breastplate bordered with ten brass studs and lined with a brass sheet itself bordered by six brass rivets. At the center is fixed an iron glory in the shape of a radiant sun, on which is attached an oval brass insignia stamped with an imperial eagle on a sanded background framed by laurel branches. The breastplate is numbered "442" and marked inside with "Manufactured at the Royal Factory of Chatellerault in June 1843 2T 1L No. 746".
Backplate bordered with six brass studs, lined with a brass plate itself bordered by six brass rivets, adorned at the top with two leather straps covered with a double chain of brass rings intertwined with a brass lock. Backplate numbered "506", marked "Manufactured at the Royal Factory of Chatellerault in March 1839 2T 1L No. 831". Brown leather belt with brass buckle.
Good condition, one strap leather broken but not missing, complete belt but cut, edges of the backplate have small holes.

France.
Second Empire.