Cavalry Brigadier General's Helmet Of The Cuirassiers, Model 1872, Modified In 1874.

Helmet of a Cavalry Brigadier General of the Cuirassiers, Model 1872, modified in 1874.

Nickel-plated steel skull. Visor and neck guard edged with a copper band; undersides lined with leather. Gilt copper front band, stamped with a flaming grenade encircled by laurel leaves and decorated with a star on each side. Each chin strap consists of nine cut-out copper ornamental scales—decreasing in width—stamped in relief with laurel leaves; the uppermost scale of each strap terminates in a rounded section stamped with a circular rosette featuring laurel leaves in relief. The skull is topped by a gilt copper crest assembly comprising two side plates, a front mask, and a rear cover. The side plates are decorated with palmettes and a fine line along the top edge, while the lower rim features water-leaf motifs, all stamped in relief. The connecting mask is stamped with a Medusa head in relief. The rear cover, also stamped, depicts the continuation of the Medusa's hair, featuring intertwined snakes. Crest ornament consisting of a socket stamped with water-leaf motifs in relief and a central disc formed by two stamped shells; this is fixed to the front of the crest and supports a scarlet horsehair tuft. Black-dyed horsehair mane, approximately 60 cm long. Stamped copper plume holder. Patent leather interior liner, gold-tooled along the outer edges and cut into seven "wolf's teeth" tabs, each fitted with a metal eyelet. Senior officer's plume made of rooster feathers (non-original); antique gold bullion *olive* (base knot). Marking from the Alexis Godillot manufactory (where the stamped letters "ALEXIS G..." are visible), a key 19th-century entrepreneur and manufacturer. His company was a major official supplier to the French Army during the Third Republic, notably producing cavalry helmets (for Dragoons and Cuirassiers) based on the 1872 and 1874 models. General-grade helmets of the 1874 pattern remain notoriously difficult to authenticate with certainty. The presence of a standard-issue supplier's mark (Godillot) on a general officer's helmet is explained by the regulatory practices of the time: it was common for a senior or general officer (or their private outfitter) to use a high-quality enlisted or NCO-grade helmet shell—sourced from arsenals or state contracts (here marked "ALEXIS G")—and have it fully modified, gilded, and customized. The presence of a tin solder joint inside the shell represents a standard and consistent attachment method for affixing general officer rank insignia to cavalry helmets of this era (1872 and 1874 models). The stars are attached via a small stem (or rear tab) passing through the metal shell; this is then brazed or soldered with tin on the inside to ensure a solid, permanent attachment that remains invisible from the outside—a feature that supports the piece's authenticity.
France. Third Republic. Condition: Good (ABE); gilding is perfect, with minor oxidation on the shell.

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