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MODEL 1881 OFFICER’S DRESS HELMET BULLION HELMET
AND CHEST CORD SET – A VERY SCARCE SET IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION: This set of gold bullion helmet and
chest cords for the Model 1881 Officer’s Dress Helmet is
an extremely scarce offering, virtually never found
separated from the helmets – either they are found still
attached to the helmet, or they were separated and lost
many years ago. Finding a set to complete your
officer’s dress helmet would be considered by most
collectors to be virtually impossible.
Unlike the worstered wool one-piece helmet and chest
cords that decorated the enlisted man’s dress helmets,
the officer’s cords were made of gold bullion and were
made, and intended to be worn, as a two-piece set. The
braided helmet cords were attached to the helmet, while
the chest cords were arranged on the uniform coat and
attached to the left side of the helmet - where the
front and rear braids of the helmet cords met - by means
of a small brass snap swivel. This allowed the officer
to remove his helmet when he was indoors while retaining
the decorative cords on his dress uniform coat.
The helmet cords of this set are a bit darker than the
chest cords, and were apparently exposed to more
environmental affects, where as the chest cords were
probably stored in a sealed container and therefore
retained more of the bright finish. Other than this
difference in brilliance, the cords are in identically
excellent condition and will display quite well
together.
The cording has survived very well with no wear or
snagged spots, and only a few points of discoloration on
the chest cords, the balance retaining a brilliant
finish. One of the barrel shaped slides that keep the
cords from twisting shows some fraying on one end.
Other than those few points, all of the tassels and flat
braided knots are present and fully intact, to include
the tassel fringes which are often seen torn or frayed.
The snap swivel is present and full form at the top of
the chest cords, and the shield shaped mounting pins are
present on both sides of the helmet cords.
This is an extremely attractive set, and even if the
opportunity were to present, it would be difficult to
upgrade. An officer’s dress helmet that is missing the
cords would be substantially enhanced with the addition
of this cord set.
SOLD
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