Helmet And Breast Plate For A French Cuirassier, Second Empire Napoleon / Cavalry

Spectacular set for a French cuirassier dating from the king Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III era.
It consists of:
1/ A crested helmet Model 1845, dated 1848.
This type of helmet equipped cuirassier regiments during the reign of King Louis-Philippe (1830-1848), under the Second Republic (1848-1852), and throughout the Second Empire (1852-1870).
The helmet presented here is intact and entirely original. It is in an superb state of preservation, which I have rarely seen on enlisted men's helmets. They were generally subjected to harsher conditions than those for officers.
The helmet, visor, and neck shield are made of polished steel, without any oxidation (two small holes on the neck shield).
The back of the helmet bears the following regulation markings:
1/ The number "3" indicating its assignment to the 3rd Cuirassier Regiment.
2/ The number "48" for its date of manufacture in 1848.
3/ The service number of the cavalryman who wore this helmet: "606".
The crest is made of brass. It is decorated on the front with a flaming grenade surmounted by a Medusa head and a laurel wreath.
The sides are decorated with acanthus leaves and palmettes. The rain guard protecting the top of the crest is shaped like a braided mane.
Finally, the whole is surmounted by a stylized brass plume holder and a scarlet plume.
The helmet features a black-dyed cowhide band, which has retained most of its hair (98%). There is a small, barely visible tear on the rear left of the band (see photo).
The chin straps are of the 1845 pattern, with small copper rings mounted on black leather. They are complete with their "rosettes" adorned with a radiant sun.
The original black horsehair mane is approximately 70 cm long.
The interior of the helmet is complete and in good condition. It consists of a black leather liner. Slight wear to the liner.
Rare helmet in this remarkable condition.
It is sold with a reproduction side plume.
Helmet height (excluding the crest): 40 cm.
Historical note: During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the 3rd Cuirassier Regiment participated in the famous charge of Reichshoffen, at Frœschwiller. Sixty-two men perished, and its commanding officer, was decapitated by a shell.

2/ A steel breast plate, Model 1855, in very good overall condition.
The breastplate and backplate both bear the Châtellerault arms factory mark.
For the breastplate: dated 1858. Second size, second width.
For the backplate: dated 1877. Second size, second width.
Shoulder straps with brass chain mounted on leather.
Leather belt with its original buckle.
Cuirass height: 44 cm