French Dragoon Helmet

[Justin]

I know this is a French Helm but its imperial head gear. This came in my store today. From what I can tell its a French Dragoon Helmet. Its a little banged up but still a nice helmet. What time period or model is this one. Every site I look at that has the same helmets just say Antique or old. As far as restoring does any one have any experience getting the dents out of these and reshaping? Anyone have a lead on half a chin strap? As you can see its missing half. This helm is something I am thinking about taking to the sos to trade off. Whavrt do these bring in this type of condition? Most retail sites have them listed at 3500 in much better condition. also most I have seen do not have the horse hair on top. What is the significance of this?

[Justin]

[Justin]

Left the rest of the pictures at the store will post some more in tomorrow as the day allows.

[LA MITRAILLE]

Hello justin,

It's not a french cavalry helmet, it's a gendarme, policeman helmet. If you don't have a ponytail, it mean that the policeman was with feet....and with a ponytail (like yours) it mean that the policeman was with a horse.

This helmet is from 1900.....since the end of WWI

Best regards
David

[juoneen]

I got one a while back...not real valuable. Maroon horsehair means one thing, and black another. I cant recall, but i have a red version. i looked it up, but spaced it out at the moment. Looks like yours is missing half the chinstrap. They are impressive looking anyway. (around 2to 3 bills, whatever you can get) Heres the details about the mane:
Cuirassier's helmet was made of steel with brass comb, a black horse mane (for trumpeters red or white mane), a black cow-hide turban, black visor edged with brass, a tall red plume on the left side, and brass chin scales. The cuirass had front and back plates made of steel. It had leather straps with brass scales, the cuirass lining was edged with white in all regiments. The coat was dark blue with collar, facings, and cuffs in regimental color.

Heres more if you want to read it, but of the earlier curasiers in the napoleonic period :http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napole...nchcuirassiers

[Justin]

well thanks for the info, just to let you know you guys are seriously pokin holes in my illusion of going down to the sos and turning this into a nice lobestertail or an an 1870 IC first class.

Thanks again.

[klr]

Hello Here is one in a collection I'm buying. I was told in a thread it's a French Cuirassrer's helmet . I really don't know anything about these but it looks similar. I saw one like this in bad condition sell on Ebay for around $500. Kirby

[LA MITRAILLE]

Hello Klr,

Your helmet is for dragon! not cuirassier! nearly the same but not the same.

Best regards
david

[juoneen]

In order to not raise false hopes...

Cant say it wont happen....just don't expect it or bet on it.If you put 500. on it youll be lucky to get 350. If you got the whole 5, id pack up and leave real quick. These are not that valuable...you might find a sucker, but will you be able to sleep at night, knowing you took someone to the cleaners. maybe offer it to trade for german stuff....put the tag saying that right on it (post-itz)You axed...we whittle a little, but try and stay grounded. Do you want us to lie to you just to make you feel better....if so....Ill tell you, youll get an RK for that one for sure.....or two 1870 IC's.................BBBRRRTTTT!

I do wish you good luck in your quest for the holy grail, and do let us know what happens, and follow up with the final chapter if it finds a home, especially if you end up not sleeping after the show...And dont forget to go to napanee, and shipshewanna, as I already know you go there. That's where the booty is in your zone.(except for reds, or maybe michianna antique mall up towards niles.