I offer for sale, a stunningly good Victorian issue - Royal Artillery Officer's blue cloth helmet, together with its enamelled metal carrying tin (which bears the three initials " T.G.P." painted thereon). The black tin bears a pattern on its exterior in brown, so as to mimic Tortoiseshell(?) I have no idea who the initials painted on the tin represent unfortunately.
The cork interior of the helmet is totally firm (no soft spots or damage - immaculate in fact, and the leather sweatband and silk are in excellent condition also). The cork is clearly stamped with the maker's/retailer's name and address - "Hawkes & Co. 14 Piccadilly London - Cork Patent, sole manufacturers". The helmet is for a small sized head.
The exterior of the helmet is in very good condition, the only damage a tiny moth hole to the blue cloth material along the rear rim of the helmet, to the left of the centre vertical band, almost invisible to the naked eye. Otherwise, the helmet is in excellent condition.
The metal carrying case has a label to the base of the tin that says, "Tonbridge to Charing". The case is in excellent condition, but there is no liner present.
Price: £675 plus posting costs.