Original British Household Cavalry Named Life Guards Officer Cuirass and Helmet Set Original Items

Original Items: One-of-a-kind-set. This is quality material, dating from the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II who came to the throne in 1953. Buckingham Palace in central London is the official residence of the Queen although she has many country estates. The Household Cavalry (HCav) is made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). These regiments are divided between the Armoured Regiment stationed at Combermere Barracks in Windsor and the ceremonial mounted unit, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, garrisoned at Hyde Park Barracks (Knightsbridge Barracks) in London. The Household Cavalry is part of the Household Division and is the Queen’s official bodyguard.

The British Household Cavalry is classed as a corps in its own right, and consists of two regiments: the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). They are the senior regular regiments in the British Army, with traditions dating from 1660, and act as the Queen’s personal bodyguard. They are guards regiments and, with the five foot guard regiments, help constitute the seven guards regiments of the Household Division.

Here we offer a complete cuirass set (chest and back plate) with helmet of Lieutenant BARLOW of the Life Guards.

Officer’s Uniforms are far more elaborate than for the standard trooper uniforms. The helmet plates and mounts are gilt and the cuirasses are lined in velvet. Officer’s uniforms are very expensive with no cost spared being in the direct service of the Monarch. This set, just received from an English collection, is in excellent condition and bears Lt. BARLOW’s name on the inside of the breast and back plate. A magnificent set rarely encountered.