20th C. British 18th Hussars Sable Busby w/ Case

Western Europe, Great Britain, England, ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful helmet known as a "busby" given to officers of the British 18th Hussars (also known as "Queen Mary's Own" Hussars). The bowl-shaped leather helmet is lined on the inside with maroon-hued silk and a softer leather headband for comfort, and the exterior is presented with incredibly-soft sable fur of a coffee-brown color. A wide chinstrap comprised of brass rings atop a leather strap hangs from one side, with a side flap featuring a dangling silvered-copper tassel folded over the top, and a trio of gilded-silver cords wrapped around the midsection. A rectangular slot for a detachable feather sits atop the helmet on the verso above a tightly-wound corded oval. Included with the helmet is an original iron case with two brass plaques, one reading, "Sandilands 12 Conduit St Regent St London," and the other reading, "F.C.O. de Tuyll Esq 18th Hussars." Size (helmet): 8" L x 8.6" W x 8" H (20.3 cm x 21.8 cm x 20.3 cm); 17.25" H (43.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-private Green collection, York, England, United Kingdom acquired in 2019.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#146966
Condition Report: Original detachable feather missing. Chinstrap secured with modern pins. Losses to some patches of fur and tassel strands, with light desication to leather commensurate with age, slight bending to gilded chinstrap links, and wear to some interior components. Case has abrasions and dents to body and lid, with bending to upper rim and lid making closing lid difficult.