A Very Good Victorian 1881 British Army Garter Star Helmet Plate

A very good example of the helmet plate used on the Home Service and tropical sun helmets used by all the foot regiments of the British Army in the late 19th century. In excellent condition.

In 1881, the British Army standardized its headgear by rolling out the Home Service Helmet across most line infantry and corps. Also known as the Foreign Service Helmet or pith helmet, this headdress was characterized by its cork core, cloth covering, and distinctive brass or silver fittings.Key details surrounding the 1881 Home Service Helmet
The helmet was constructed of stiff cork covered with blue cloth (or sometimes green/grey for specific light infantry and rifle regiments). The fittings varied by branch and rank; officers used gilt or silver-plated insignia, while other ranks used brass.The 1881 Childers Reforms: This specific year is historically significant because the Childers Reforms amalgamated numbered regiments into localized territorial regiments. As a result, the large, star-shaped helmet plates mounted on the front of the headdresses were heavily updated to reflect the new regional and amalgamated titles.
Helmets were topped with either a fluted metal spike (for infantry) or a "ball in a leaf cup" device (for artillery, engineers, and specific service corps).
While originally intended as a universal field and dress headdress, the introduction of khaki during the 1903 uniform updates restricted this helmet to pure Full Dress. It was phased out for field operations and eventually limited to specific ceremonial duties

Code: 26286