Original U.S. Indian Wars 1881 Model New York 1st Field Artillery Regiment Dress Helmet With Plume & Cords - Size 6⅞

Original Item: One Only Available. Much like our European cousins in the 1880s, the U.S. Army started to adopt spiked pith helmets, often in white, with all brass mounts and occasionally plumes. These saw active service in the Spanish American War of 1898 especially in the tropical climate in Cuba. While often referred to as "pith helmets" in the broad sense, it was made from cork, like many European variants, such as the Wolseley pattern used by the British.

This helmet dates to the early 1900s, and it really is quite striking. This is not the type of helmet that was worn in the field, but instead one intended for use with the "dress" uniform for ceremonial occasions. This example was made from cork covered with brown fabric, and retains a great red plume and red cords, with a partial makers stamp inside around the spike fixture:

RIDABOCK & CO.
FORMERLY
BAKER & McKENNEY
141 GRAND STREET, NEW YORK

The Helmet plate displays the New York Guard Seal helmet plate; an Eagle perched atop a shield, wings spread, with a banner below marked “Excelsior”. The number 1 has been attached to the front, and this with the crossed cannon Field Artillery bales on the sides would indicate the 1st New York Field Artillery. 

The helmet is affixed with a great red plume and red cords attached to the shield mounts, denoting artillery. 

The chinstrap is entirely absent, and the sweatband on the interior is entirely gone. The helmet is roughly a Size 6 ⅞. The leather trim around the edge shows heavy loss and wear, and the shape of the helmet itself shows very heavy degradation.

Very nice, great condition for age with loads of patina, ready to display!