Posted 9 years ago
Chrisnp
(310 items)
Since I’m posting my 1881 helmet this week, I thought I’d post a few spare parts.
The eagle is the standard one piece stamped out brass infantry plate for the front of the enlisted helmet. Infantry had crossed rifles, cavalry had crossed sabers, and the artillery had crossed cannon. These would have regimental numbers affixed to the shield. Eagles without rifles, sabers or cannon would have other branch insignia affixed to the shield instead.
The spike is also brass and would have been screwed into a base on the top of the helmet.
The two bosses with rings are I believe enlisted men’s mounts, and would have been affixed to the upper sides of the helmet to suspend decorative cords in the soldier’s branch color. I believe that cords were at least initially limited to mounted troops. The original intent of having cords on headgear was to connect it to a mounted soldier’s uniform in case the helmet fell off while at the gallop. Eventually it served primarily as decoration.
The six side buttons, which would have been at either end of the chinstrap, also indicate branch of service. The top pair show the crossed rifles of the infantry. The middle row show the crossed cannon of the artillery and the crossed swords of the cavalry.
On the bottom row at the left is the crossed quill and key of the Quartermaster Department. Bill Maudlin called the quartermaster “The hewer of wood and hauler of water, a counter of buttons and sorter of socks.” At this point in history the quartermaster was in charge of the purchase and distribution of all items of issue except sustenance items (food), as well as transporting supplies and troops.
On the bottom row at the right is the crescent of the Commissary Department. At different times the crescent was displayed with the points horizontal as shown here, or with the points vertical like a crescent moon. At this point in history the Commissary Dept. was in charge of supplying the army with food. In 1912 it was merged with the Quartermaster Department to form the Quartermaster Corps.
Nice array and very well preserved. Thanks for sharing :-)
I was looking over your collection tonight and I find it to be a great collection of the past which will Horner the ones that fought for there country no matter which country they protected ...I enjoyed reading your summery of the things you have shown here on C W....
Thanks, I appreciate what you've written.
I've always had an interest in the young men (and now often women) called away from home and family to serve their country in times of war. Whether service was voluntary or compulsory, or their country's goals were righteous or corrupt, the experience of these individuals over just a few short years is often profound and transformative, and I think should be recognized.