HELMET OF THE 4th DRAGOON REGIMENT, model of November 20, 1858, Second Empire. 33443

HELMET OF THE 4th REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, model of November 20, 1858, Second Empire. 33443

Helmet made of "yellow copper" brass, according to regulations, formed in a single stamped piece with a visor and finished with a hammer. Four suction holes are drilled in the helmet. The back of the helmet is dated 1870, numbered "516", assigned to the 41st regiment "4D". Turban made of two pieces of semi-tanned cowhide, assembled in front and behind by a seam with large cross stitches. The turban is attached to the helmet using four softened flat-headed rivets, with counter-rivet washers, that go through both pieces. Brass visor, rimmed with a strip of copper along the outer edge. This circle (H on each face 8 mm) is joined to the visor by a red copper rivet at each end. It is lined underneath with a green waxed leather strip glued and fitted into the edge circle. Visor width at the center is 5.5 cm. Neck guard in brass rimmed with copper similar to the visor, lined with black waxed leather underneath.
Headband dyed in imitation leopard skin, typical of the 1858 model; it is cut to precisely fit under the helmet molding from the top and extend down over the visor and neck guard, leaving only about a quarter visible. At each end, this headband is lined on the inside with a small copper plate pierced with four holes with metal eyelets. On each side, two washers, one inside, the other outside, pierced in the center and joined by a metal eyelet, are fitted where the chinstrap passes through.
Two chinstraps, each made of fourteen flat brass rings, linked together in decreasing size. These rings are connected with a thin brass wire, the ends of which are hidden underneath the leather, on a core of strong black varnished leather, finished with a black varnished calf counter strap and a buckle with a bar carrying a pin. The two top rings of the chain, showing only part of their circumference, are joined with a rosette in copper of 5.3 cm in diameter, bordered by a plain ring adorned in relief with 16 laurel leaves arranged in rays around a hole in the center. Each strap is attached to the helmet by a copper screw with a hemispherical head.
Crest placed on the helmet, from front to back; it is made of yellow copper and composed of two fins, a mask, and a covering. The concave-based fins form a scalloped edge pierced with two holes for brass screws, with round tallow heads, which are secured inside the helmet by nuts. They are adorned with palm leaves and a garland on the upper edge. The edge is decorated with water leaves, all embossed in relief. The fins are embossed with a decreasing series of eight ribs. The mask serves as the front junction of the two fins. It is embossed with a Medusa head in high relief, surmounted by a small oak wreath and at the bottom, above the mask's lamp base, is a grenade in bas-relief. Copper screw at the bottom of the lamp base. The copper covering is embossed with a mat in bas-relief. The crest ornament consists of a lower socket, an ornate lens with relief palm leaves, and an upper socket, also adorned with palm leaves. Black hair tuft. Mane in black dyed hair, approximately 64 cm long.
Brass plume holder decorated with foliage branches.
Inner padding made of a strong black leather headpiece, cut into nine wolf tooth notches with metal eyelets.

France.
Second Empire.
Very good condition, posterior mane.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
[...]
Second Empire:
The regiment led a quiet garrison life.
From 1871 to 1914:
In 1870, it took part in the battles of the Army of the Loire.
During the Paris Commune in 1871, the regiment participated with the Versailles army in the bloody week. In 1880, the regiment was stationed in Chambéry, in the chevau-légers' quarter, between Carré Curial and the cliff at the foot of the Saint-Martin cliff. In 1960, Barbot barracks were taken over by the Chasseurs Alpins.
[...]