Original British Victorian Army Artillery Officer Blue Cloth Dress Spike Helmet by Hawkes and Co – Pre-1881 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a well used but solid condition Victorian era British Army Officer Blue Cloth Spiked helmet which is with its spike finial and without scaled chinstrap. Though ball top finials were worn by Service Corps (Medical, Veterinarian, Artillery etc.), pre-1881 Artillery helmets had spiked tops. The chin strap lugs and spike base ends are all properly adorned with embossed roses with one of the sides missing unfortunately. This helmet has gilt brass mounts used on all regular Army helmets.

The front of the helmet has the correct artillery plate, which is the version with the artillery piece from the design. Body consists of cork covered with blue wool, trimmed with brass, but the rear skirt trim is missing. Liner is calfskin leather and silk. Interior of the front and rear visor is trimmed with fine green dyed leather with little color retained, and the interior body liner with canvas. The rear skirt does have deformities and minor cracking present. The interior has a maker’s mark for HAWKES AND CO of Piccadilly. HAWKES & Co. founded in 1771 by Thomas Hawkes in Brewer Street, London, moved to 14 Piccadilly in 1794 and again to it’s present location at 1 Saville Row in 1912. Today the Company is known as GIEVES & HAWKES and is still one of London’s most renowned tailors.

The helmet is in lovely condition for its age. Showing signs of honest use, and wear from storage and handling over the last 120+ years. Overall, this is an excellent example that is perfect for the collector of 19th Century British Militaria. Size is approximately US 7 (56cm).