WWI IMPERIAL GERMAN GARDE DU CORPS LOBSTER-TAIL PARADE HELMET withEAGLE TOP
This is an extremely fine Imperial German Model 1867 enlisted mans Garde du Corps parade helmet that remains in excellent and completely original condition. The lobster-tail body is constructed of tombak with silver visor trim. There is a raised reinforcement ridge at the rear of the crown as is correct for the Model 1867 helmets.
The helmet features a stepped front visor and lobster-tail neck guard. The front plate is a silvered Garde star with the words,'MIT GOTT FUR KONIG UND VATERLAND 1860' (With God for King and the Fatherland). In the center of the star is a Prussian Black Eagle on a brass background with a wreath below and surmounted by the slogan,'SUUM CUIQUE' (TO EACH HIS OWN). The helmet is surmounted by a beautifully detailed white metal eagle with back-swept wings and wearing a gilded brass crown.
The eagle stands on an oval silver base that is secured to the helmet by a single nut that is not a wing nut. The eagle is slightly loose on the base but could easily be tightened if desired. The brass convex chin scales are mounted over a leather strap with metal buckle and are secured to the helmet with screw fixtures which pass through round rosettes of brass. Beneath the right rosette is the Prussian black and white, rayed cockade.
The red, white, and black national cockade is missing from the left side. Stamped in the body beneath the left rosette is the numeral,'74'. The interior of the helmet is with an undamaged 8-finger leather liner that remains supple and intact. The underside of the front visor is painted green and retains approximately 65% of the paint. The underside of the front visor trim is stamped with the makers name, A.
The underside of the lobster-tail is with approximately 65% of the original black painted finish. This is a truly magnificent example that has not been polished or fooled with in any way. Frederick the Great founded the Garde du Corps in 1740 as the personal bodyguard of the king of Prussia and, after 1871, of the German Kaiser. Its first commander was Friedrich von Blumenthal, who died unexpectedly in 1745. His brother Hans von Blumenthal, who had won the Pour le Mérite in its first action at the battle of Hohenfriedberg, assumed command in 1747.
Hans von Blumenthal was badly wounded leading the regiment in a successful cavalry charge in the battle of Lobositz and had to be retired from military service. The item "WWI IMPERIAL GERMAN GARDE DU CORPS LOBSTER-TAIL PARADE HELMET withEAGLE TOP" is in sale since Wednesday, October 17, 2018. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\Germany\Hats & Helmets".
The seller is "thedogfacesoldier" and is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This item can be shipped worldwide.