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PARTS FOR THE MODEL 1881 ENLISTED
MAN'S DRESS HELMETS: These are all
original parts. Each is described below with
photographs.
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MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN'S SUMMER HELMET
VENT COVER: As provided with the Models
1880 (White) and 1889 (White and Khaki) Summer Helmets,
these vent covers screwed into the threaded shaft in the
vent on the crown of the helmets. As often as not,
those helmets are found with these vent covers missing.
At one time fairly easy to find, these vent covers have
all but disappeared from the market. This one was
made in khaki, but shows evidence of having had some
whitening applied. This cover could be colored to
match your helmet with very little effort. It
shows some wear, but still retains its cloth covering,
the threaded shaft is intact with clean threads, and the
vent holds its proper shape. A scarce opportunity
to complete your helmet. (0906) $75
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ORIGINAL ENLISTED STAFF MEMBERS INSIGNIA FOR THE
MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET STAFF EAGLE PLATE AND AS WORN ON
THE MODEL 1872 US ARMY FORAGE CAP OR KEPI – SIGNAL AND
QUARTERMASTER: These insignias were issued to
the enlisted men who made up the various staff
departments of the Indian War army. For the most part,
these were issued in far smaller numbers than the
artillery, cavalry, and infantry cap insignias and as a
result, are far scarcer today than the crossed cannons,
sabres and rifles that are normally available.
Each of these is an original insignia and not one of the
later restrikes. I have the following limited selection
– each one a single piece – and when this supply is
exhausted, I’m not sure when or if I will find any
others. Each is described below with accompanying
photographs.
ca. 1881 SIGNAL CORPS OVERLAY INSIGNIA:
The scarcer 1881 white metal crossed signal flags
without the torch which would be added in 1891. Both
attaching wires are present on the reverse. (0910) $75
ca. 1879 QUARTERMASTER FORAGE CAP BADGE:
White metal crossed quill and key with the attaching
wires on the reverse intact. (0911) $75
ca. 1877 COMMISSARY FORAGE CAP INSIGNIA:
White metal crossed quill and key with the attaching
wires on the reverse intact. (0138) $75
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN’S
DRESS HELMET SIDE BUTTON DISPLAY – VERY NICE SELECTION
INCLUDING SOME VERY SCARCE EXAMPLES: A
great selection of original US Army dress helmet side
buttons, including several very scarce branches.
Starting at the far left of the top row, a Model 1872
Infantry Shako side button, second row Commissary,
Medical (1872-1886), Engineer and Ordnance departments.
The third row - Signal, Quartermaster, Medical (1887)
and Electrical (very rare). Mounted on a black
velvet covered paperboard which is stamped on the
reverse identifying this display as having come from the
Paul Hedren collection. Paul was one of the larger
Indian War uniform collectors of his era. This is
a very nice Indian War era display piece to add to your
collection. (0119) $150
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 INDIAN SCOUT DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – EXCELLENT MATCHED EXAMPLES - VERY
RARE SET: Virtually never found on the
loose, this matched pair of Model 1881 Indian Scout
Dress Helmet Side Buttons. In unissued "new old
stock" condition, these came from an old New York
collection and were originally purchased from a cache of
old Bannerman's inventory. A rare helmet
decoration that never shows up on the loose.
(0118) $300
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1872 ARTILLERY DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – VERY RARE EARLY PATTERN -
EXCELLENT MATCHED SETS: These differ in
having the lined
background rather the stippled background of the later
Model 1881 Artillery side buttons, and being fitted wtih attaching wires rather than the
solid flat tabs. These rare sets of side buttons
were made in relatively
small quantities for the Model 1872 Light Artillery
Dress Helmets. (0625) $100 per pair
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 ENGINEER DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – EXCELLENT MATCHED RELATIVELY
SCARCE SETS: Another of the seldom
encountered branches, this matched pair of Model 1881
Engineer Dress Helmet Side Buttons. In unissued
"new old stock" condition, these were originally
purchased from a cache of old Bannerman's inventory.
(0626) $75
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 INFANTRY OFFICER'S
DRESS HELMET SIDE BUTTONS W/ INTEGRAL CHIN CHAIN HOOKS –
VERY NICE SETS: Unique to the officer's
helmets which featured the leather backed chin chains,
this is a pair of Model 1881 Infantry Officer's Dress
Helmet Side Buttons. (0108) $35
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS M1881 ENLISTED MAN’S DRESS
HELMET BUTTONS – SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRANCHES IN PAIRS –
SEE LIST: Original Indian War period US Army
M1881 Enlisted Man’s Dress Helmet Side Buttons, most
offered in matched pairs. Complete with the attaching
tabs on the reverse, these buttons are unissued with
much of the original gilt finish present. Real nice
sets, these are old stock obtained from Bannerman’s
years ago.
Artillery Model 1881, pair: $45
Cavalry, pair: $25
Commissary, pair: $25 Quartermaster, pair $40
Medical 1887, pair $25
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MODEL 1881 DISMOUNTED OFFICER DRESS HELMET SPIKE
AND OAK LEAF BASE – PRIVATE PURCHASE INTERLOCKING SET
WITH REMOVABLE SPIKE: While this was not a
regulation design, these interlocking spike and base
sets are known to have been available during the period
the Model 1881 Dress Helmets were worn by the regular
army and state militia officers. This design must have
had a genuine appeal to the officers who were required
to purchase their own uniforms and fittings, and when
doing so, could avail themselves of improved designs
such as offered in this set. When storing their dress
helmets for movement between assignments, having the
ability to remove the spike from the helmet to prevent
damage to the felt helmet body was certainly a benefit.
This set is in like new condition, showing no signs of
wear or age. The tabs on the spike which engage the
slots in the base are both present and both sets of
attaching wires are present on the underside of the
base.
This is a nice set that is not commonly found and it
would make a good addition to a helmet display or to
complete an officer’s dress helmet. (1004) $150
 
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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR NEW YORK STATE MILITIA DRESS
SHAKO SIDE BUTTONS – VERY NICE MATCHED PAIR:
An uncommon offering, these New York State Militia Shako
Side Buttons were used for a short period before being
eclipsed by regular army patterns of uniforms that New
York eventually adopted. Attractive buttons
bearing the NY state seal. (0624) $30
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS DRESS HELMET SCROLLS & RINGS:
These original "Scrolls & Rings" were used in pairs on
the Model 1881 Dress Helmets - one positioned high on
each side of the crown - to attached the braided cord
sets so the cords would drape over the front and rear of
the helmets. A necessary accessory to complete a
dress helmet. (0109) $15 per scroll and ring
fixture
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS DRESS HELMET SHIELD & HOOK:
These original "Shield & Hook" primarily used on
officers Model 1881 Dress Helmets - one mounted high on
the back of the helmet on which to attach the loose end
of the officer's chin chain when it was worn draped
around the helmet. (0110) $15
I have a few of the shields without the hooks, but I'm
not sure what those were used for. If you want one
of these without the hook, please let me know when you
place your order..
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET PLUME PIN – COMPLETE SET IN
UNISSUED CONDITION:
This is an original Plume Pin
assembly as was used on the Model 1881 Dress Helmets
worn by all mounted soldiers.
These assemblies are in “like new”
unissued condition, and are complete with the nut and
washer. The decorative head is 1 ¼” in diameter and the
threaded shaft is 5 ½” long. The brass has a nice
naturally aged patina, but it will polish up if you
prefer.
This old Bannerman stock is
beginning to disappear from the market and soon will be
very difficult to find. (0251)
$45
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MODEL 1881
ARTILLERY DRESS HELMET EAGLE PLATE:
In excellent condition with all of the bright gilt
finish intact, this plate is full form with no damage
and all three of the attaching wires are present on the
reverse. This plate is from old stock of the type
obtained from Bannerman’s years ago and quite difficult
to find today in this condition. (0901) $125
 
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NO.
2
MODEL 1881
ARTILLERY DRESS HELMET EAGLE PLATE:
In very good condition, showing some tarnish from use
and age, this plate is full form with no damage.
The reverse surface still retains the bright original
finish and all three of the attaching wires are present.
From old stock of the type obtained from Bannerman’s
years ago, these plates are becoming increasingly
difficult to find on the loose. (0216) $85
 
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MODEL 1881 ARTILLERY OFFICER'S DRESS HELMET
PLUME - VERY GOOD SPECIMEN: As worn on the Model
1881 Artillery Officers Dress Helmet, this bright
red buffalo hair plume is in very good condition..
The original net wrapping around the base of the plume
is
still intact and the hair is very full without showing
any significant loss. (0807) $150
 
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