Antique French Dragoon’s Helmet Model 1874. France, 19th Century

Description

Antique French Dragoon’s Helmet Model 1874. France, 19th Century.
Spectacular antique French dragoon’s helmet model 1874, made in France in the 19th century and in fine condition. The helmet preserves almost all its original component parts. The plume which crowns the parade crest is made of natural horsehair, original from the time and well preserved. Red feather still vibrant considering its age. The helmet shows some signs of the trace of time, but these details only add to its essence as they tell us about its ancient age and history; unknown, but surely fascinating. The silver-chromed finish is worn in several points, but the metal remains in good condition and shows no cracks and only a few light dents.
Overall, the helmet has preserved its magnificent presence and is currently a powerfully decorative piece. At the front we can see a golden metal detail with the image of a flaming spherical bottle flanked by two laurel wreaths. Over these detail we find the original leather chinstraps, attached to both sides by metal rivets. The side rivets have 684 stamped on each side. The helmet is crowned by a golden parade crest, big in size and decorated with a front mask and side vegetal-inspired motifs. Over the mask we can see an embossed motif composed of two intertwined snakes.
This amazing antique French dragoon’s helmet model 1874 evokes fierce battles and a past of grandeur, being worthy of the best collection.
French Dragoons – History
The origin of the French dragoons is quite uncertain. Their ancestors could be the Macedonian dimacos, cavalry soldiers who could also fought on foot. The first news about them date from 1554, when Charles de Cossé, Marshall of Brissac, creates a corps composed of mounted gunmen who travelled on horseback but fought on foot. The name ‘dragoons” could come from the image of a dragon which (supposedly) adorned the Marshall’s flags, or maybe from an ancient gun called dragoon. In 1622 the dragoons have become a reality; in fact, the German expert Johann Jacob von Wallhausen defined them as a “mounted infantry corps. The soldiers were armed with muskets and pikes. France created many dragoon regiments; in 1685, Louis the 15th sent them all over the reign to fight and convert the protestants. During the Napoleonic era, dragoons took part in many contents and campaigns, the Spanish invasion among them. Currently, the French army preserves three dragoon regiments, the 2nd, the 5th and the 13th.
On the Eve of WWI, France had not fought another European Power since 1870. Little changed from Waterloo, this type of helmet was actually worn by cavalrymen deploying to face the Germans in August 1914 (although with a protective cloth cover). By mid 1915 it was gone from the battlefield, replaced by the ubiquitous Adrian Helmet. The helmet remains for ceremonial purposes in some French units.
Although very similar to the cuirassier helmet, this was worn by French dragoons, the difference being that this one does not have the marmouset (little brass ball with plume at the front) that I identifies the cuirassiers.
The helmet has a steel bowl, with silver chin scales and trim. A medusa adorns the comb, which sports an over 2 foot long horsehair tail. The hair is braided down the center, as you can see in photo. It’s stamped with a
684 60 75
5c
1
And a p on the rim or it could be a g. Hard to see
at the back of the comb, which I believe is the number of this helmet within a unit. The interior has a leather shell, which includes an interior leather covering of the brim and tail, which also dates it to pre-1912. Still has the leather string holding the shell together
I am not an expert and I am relying on the information given when I purchased this helmet. Please let me know if some of the information in this description needs to be updated or changed.
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