French Garde Nationale a Cheval Officer, Model 1814 - 1830

Silvered helmet shell that was made in two parts and assembled. The shell is made in silvered cooper and is near MINT in condition with only one small dent that we could find (see pictures). All other parts are Fire gilt including the cimier. The Gold frontplate/bandeau has the French Royal throphy (Écu) in its center with the silver "Fleur de Lys", topped with the Royale Crown and surrounded with Palm and Oak leaves. The rear part of the bandeau also bears the oak leaves decorations. The silver front visor has the gilt trim and is doubled underneath with a dark waxed "maroquin" leather. Idem to the back visor doubled in brown "maroquin".

The cimier is made in three parts, both gilt brass "ailerons" or sides and the Front "masque". it is held to the helmet shell by 8 screws and nuts. The top of the cimier is a Black mane. All original to the helmet. Gilt brass "porte plumet" (feather holder) . The inside of the helmet also original to period has the Black "basane" (leather) bandeau with 9 tongs. Liner shows wear but all tongs present. Both chinscales still retain their fire gilding mounted on beige velvet (one scale missing) are 100% original to period. Two large guilt Sunbursts centered with a silver Fleur de Lys complete this beautiful helmet.

Quite a RARE helmet to be found in todays market place as most have leather shells and for the ones that are silvered they are mostly dented. This one (over 200 years old) remains in such a nice and untouched/uncleaned condition.