Antique British Army Home Service Helmet Cruciform Base for Spike. All Lugs Intact.
Antique British Army Home Service Helmet Cruciform Base for Spike.
Late 19th / early 20th Century. In good antique condition. Hook to the rear intact (for holding the chin strap chain to the back of the helmet). All 4 lugs intact.
The Home Service Helmet was in use by most Infantry regiments, Royal Field Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, the Army Ordnance Department and other Corps and Departments.The helmet was authorised for the British Army in General Order 40 of May 1878, although it had been on trial for a few years prior to this date. British Army Dress Regulations, for officers only, state that the helmet was to be "Cork, covered with blue cloth in four seams, two on each side; peaks front and back, stiffened and covered with cloth with a seam at each side; the front peak bound with metal 3/16 inch wide, the back peak with patent leather 1/8 inch wide. Above the peaks and going round the helmet a cloth band ¾ inch wide, and stitched top and bottom. Back peak to centre of crown 10 ½ inches; front peak to centre of crown 10 ¼ inches; side to centre of crown 8 inches. Gilt curb chain chin strap, the links 5/8 inch wide and strap lined with black velvet. Gilt rose fastenings at each side; gilt convex bar ¼ inch wide, down the centre of the back, and to the bottom of the back peak. The bar is in one piece, and is fastened to the helmet by means of two studs and a flattened prolongation of the bar under the back peak. At the top of the helmet, a gilt spike mounted on a cross-piece base..."
Size: 12.5 x 9.5cm
