INDIAN WARS M1881 ENLISTED ARTILLERY DRESS HELMET

Very rare and simply fantastic, original Indian Wars period, U. S. Model 1881 Army Enlisted Artillery Dress Helmet. This wonderful, Plumed Artillery Dress Helmet was manufactured by Horstmann Bros. & Co. and features a 1st Artillery Eagle Plate Shield on the front. This fantastic, original US Army Artillery Dress Helmet measures approx. 10 1/2" from the tip of the brim to the back across the bottom, 12" tall from the tip of the brim to the top of the plume holder and 6 1/2" in diameter at the crown. The Helmet features a pressed black fur felt body with a polished black leather band around the lower edge of the helmet. It has brass, crossed cannon, artillery side buttons, brass plume holder, and artillery eagle front plate. The Plate has a German silver "1" mounted to the shield. There is a Red horsehair plume and red artillery braided cords. The Helmet retains its original thin leather hat band and matching chin strap. There is an unmarked, tan leather sweatband and the brass vent ring is stamped with the mark of the manufacturer – Horstmann Bros & Co. This very rare and very beautiful, U. S. Model 1881 Army Enlisted Artillery Dress Helmet is extremely well preserved - the construction is strong, sound and rigid. The fur-felt surface is very well preserved with no significant wear and no damage or repairs of any kind. All of the outer elements of the Helmet are very well preserved with some light wear.