Royal Engineers Officer's Full-dress Helmet

This helmet, of the model in use between 1878 and 1902, belonged to Captain G.W. Sayer. It is displayed in its carrying case.

The case is oval in shape. Its conical lid is fitted a handle at the top and a padlock. It is made of brass and painted with a type of camouflage pattern. A brass plate bears the inscription “Captn G.W. Sayer – Royal Engineers Services.”

In 1878, just like the infantry and artillery, the RoyalEngineers received the so-called “Home Service” model helmet.

The officers’ helmet consists of a cork frame covered with dark blue cloth, assembled in four parts.

The visors, both front and rear, are stiffened and covered with blue cloth with no visible seams. The front visor is edged with a gold-plated metal band, while the rear visor is edged with patent leather.

A convex gold-plated band runs along the back of the helmet. A golden chain chinstrap, lined with blue velvet, is fastened on the sides to two golden rosettes. At the top of the helmet, a golden four-leafed piece supports a golden spike approximately 7cm long, which is screwed into it. In the Engineer Corps, this spike was never replaced by a ball. On the front is affixed a gold plate bearing the royal coat of arms and the mottos “Honni soit qui mal y pense” and “Dieu et mon droit.”

The underside of the visors is covered with green leather. The interior of the helmet is lined with a fine unbleached canvas. The sweatband is made of beige leather. Its diameter is adjustable via a thin cord. On the sweatband, an assignment tag lists the owner’s name, the helmet’s size and its function: “Regt Services.”

The base is adorned with a scalloped beige leather badge bearing the manufacturer’s contact information in gold lettering.

This helmet is in near-new condition. It is characteristic of the red tunic uniforms of the Victorian era.