My British Headdress Collection **RECOMMENDED**

[Stuart Bates]

I recently picked up a couple of helmets in an auction. I was particularly pleased with the wicker one complete with cover. For a discussion on wicker helmets see http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/ ... er-helmets

Stuart

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is a pillbox cap to the 11th Hussars of the Charge of the Light Brigade fame.

Stuart

11th Hussars.JPG

Does it date from the Charge era?

Best

Chris

[Stuart Bates]

I should be so lucky Chris. But I think officers mostly preferred the cap with a peak and a "floppier" construction at that time. I would say 1880s to 1890s.

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

The interior of the wicker helmet which has a stitched cotton lining. The weave of the wicker can be clearly seen.

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

The second helmet is a four panel, rather than the authorised six panel, version. It is not yet identified to a regiment but has the soldier's regimental number and name (Pte. G. Lowe) inked to the interior.

Note the corrugated cork ventilation between the headband and the helmet shell. This seems to have been used only in the so-called "Mediterranean Order."

For a discussion on four panel helmets see http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2013/ ... ial-helmet

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

The King’s Own Royal Regiment, the Norfolk Yeomanry was formed in May, 1901 by the direction of King Edward VII. During the period 1849 – 1901 Norfolk had no Yeomanry Regiment.

Prior to that the County of Norfolk Yeomanry had been known as the Norfolk Rangers, finally disbanded in 1849 and re-raised as the Norfolk (Norwich) Mounted Rifle Corps and in 1862 renamed the Norfolk (Norwich) Light Horse and disbanded in 1867. Some of the men joined the Suffolk Yeomanry as the Norfolk Squadron.

The Other Ranks helmet below was introduced in 1905 replacing a rather beautiful Colonial Pattern cork helmet which for officers had a royal blue puggaree and had twelve gold braid retainer loops evenly spaced around the puggaree.

Stuart Bates

[MG1918]

Superb collection and although British head dress is not my theme no one can dispute this is top notch. Do you collect only pre WWI?

mark

[Jerry B]

And a lovely forage cap to a volunteer battalion of the South Wales Borderers.

Stuart

South Wales Borderers.jpg

A stunning forage cap Stuart, very nice.

[Stuart Bates]

Mark,

to answer your question I started by only collecting pre-WWI but an interest in the Wolseley helmet took me passed that but back to my roots now.

Stuart

[servicepub]

Ah yes, collecting Wolseleys. Welcome to the dark side.

[Stuart Bates]

Jerry,

I took a liking to the forage/pillbox caps and so went for it (them). I was tempted lately by sabretaches but the prices are way too high for me

Stuart

[servicepub]

An interesting article on sabretaches - http://servicepub.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/the-sabretache-in-the-canadian-cavalry/ (not to hijack this headdress thread.)

Clive

[Jerry B]

Jerry,

I took a liking to the forage/pillbox caps and so went for it (them). I was tempted lately by sabretaches but the prices are way too high for me

Stuart

Hi Stuart, the early type forage caps really do look the part and I have yet to add one to my collection, though I have recently been picking up items from nearer that period, with a few WWI period examples and a Late victorian Glengarry for the the Welsh.

I noticed a couple of good looking Forage caps of this type on the bay recently, but not taken the plunge yet as the prices are a bit more than I am used to paying for headgear.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Jerry B

[Stuart Bates]

The collection to date - Cavalry

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

Infantry - plus a couple of cavalry Wolseleys -

Stuart

[servicepub]

I think I see my book in the second pic.

[Stuart Bates]

Damn right!

It is an especially good book on the subject. Perhaps the definitive one.

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

Hi Jerry,

I am interested in seeing the caps you have in mind, but be assured that I never bid against friends who have got there before me.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Jerry B]

Hi Jerry,

I am interested in seeing the caps you have in mind, but be assured that I never bid against friends who have got there before me.

Cheers,

Stuart

Thanks for the offer Stuart. At the moment I am holding back on the earlier caps, but if I decide to go for one I will contact you for your opinion.

[Stuart Bates]

Just added a pillbox to the 14th Hussars. It is to a Sergeant Trumpeter and not only did I secure his full service record but also his medals and an inscribed fob watch, as well as some photographs.

Quite pleased

Stuart

[Stuart Bates]

[Stuart Bates]

[Stuart Bates]

[servicepub]

Very nice acquisition Stuart.

C

[Brian Wolfe]

I'm impressed, even the hat is named, very well done. If the medals and watch get in the way.....

Well done, Stuart.

Regards from Upper Canada (as opposed to Down Under).

Brian