Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 The 7th Dragoon Guards were a British Heavy Cavalry Regiment - they were originally formed in 1688 and after helping in the rescue of the Princess Royal - later to become Queen Anne - they were given the title 'The Princess Royal's Own.' I am not planning at this time to go into their distinguished history - however, this helmet was taken apart for cleaning and I thought it might be of interest to see the different constituent parts. Stuart identified it as being an 1870's pattern and being for an officer it is gold plated. This was in order for an officer to be seen easily by his men in the heat and dust of battle. The lovely helmet plate is of silver. I will show the complete helmet and then the different parts. You will note the grey and black plume - this is only for the 7th. The chin chain is in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Front of the helmet without plume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Reverse of helmet without plume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 The silver helmet plate - with Queen Victoria's Cypher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 The inside of the helmet. The leather headband is still in place - however, the silk inner head lining has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 The goldplated chin chain and the two rosettes that fix it to the helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 This is the plume with it's metal spike attachment. This is pushed through the finial at the top of the helmet - and the winged nut then holds it tightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Dwyer Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Beautiful! :jumping: :jumping: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Bates Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 The plume is actually black over white but the white has obviously turned to a grey over the years. The 1855 Dress Regulations introduced coloured plumes and the 7th were allotted black over white. I believe these helmets are still worn by musicians of the remaining regiments of heavy cavalry although the plumes of the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards band are now plain white. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Bates Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Mervyn, what would be nice is to remove the helmet plate to illustrate its components. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 Thankyou Stuart - we'll have a look and see if it is a big job ? Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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