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MODEL 1887 US ARMY SUMMER HELMET – EXCELLENT
SPECIMEN COMPLETE WITH THE VERY RARE WHITE PATENT
LEATHER CHIN STRAP: One of the classic pieces
of Indian War headgear, this Model 1889 US Army Summer
Helmet has survived in remarkable condition. Probably
best known for their issue to the soldiers in the
Southwest during the Apache Wars, in fact these helmets
eventually saw wide distribution throughout the army’s
installations as a standard issue relieving the soldiers
of their heavy and hot woolen headwear.
The body of this helmet still retains its full shape
with no damage or crushing to the crown or the brim, and
the top vent is present. The outer cotton khaki
covering is intact with no wear spots or tears, all of
the seams are intact and the material is overall clean
with minimal signs of age and storage. The inner lining
of crown is in like new condition and the green lining
on the underside of the brim is in excellent condition
with no wear or tears. The leather sweat band is
likewise in excellent condition and all of the cork
mounting discs are present, as are the two brass chin
strap hooks. The inside of the sweat band still retains
the ink stamped maker and contract information
indicating this helmet was produced by the Horstmann
Company under the contract of March, 1889. The stamping
is still legible, but is faint like so many of these ink
stamps. Both the small round size “7” label is present
at the back of the sweat band and the similar round
paper patent tag is still present on the inside of the
crown.
The highlight of this helmet is that it still retains
the full length, original white patent leather chin
strap, complete with the brass adjustment buckle. These
white leather chin straps were not particularly robust
and they did not survive well in storage, often simply
disintegrating to dust in such places as Bannerman’s
Island. In spite of its age, the chin strap retains the
white enameled finish to the leather. There is only the
slightest sign of wear to the finish at the point where
the brass buckle was adjusted. The leather is very
strong and the strap displays in as close to “like new”
condition as you are likely to find. The rarity of
these white chin straps cannot be overstated and they
are simply not found on the loose anymore. Finding one
still mounted on the helmet as in this case is a very
nice added value.
This is an excellent example of one of the more unusual
pieces of US Army headwear from the Indian War and
Spanish American War periods, and one that could not be
upgraded.
SOLD
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