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MODEL 1887 US ARMY SUMMER HELMET – EXCELLENT
SPECIMEN COMPLETE WITH THE VERY RARE WHITE PATENT
LEATHER CHIN STRAP: One of the classic pieces
of Indian War headgear, this Model 1889 US Army Summer
Helmet has survived in remarkable condition. Probably
best known for their issue to the soldiers in the
Southwest during the Apache Wars, in fact these helmets
eventually saw wide distribution throughout the army’s
installations as a standard issue relieving the soldiers
of their heavy and hot woolen headwear.
The body of this helmet still retains its full shape
with no damage or crushing to the crown or the brim, and
the top vent is present. The outer cotton khaki
covering is intact with no wear spots or tears, all of
the seams are intact and the material is overall clean
with a minimal amount of discoloration due to age and
storage. The inner lining of crown is in like new
condition and the green lining on the underside of the
brim is in excellent condition with no wear or tears.
The leather sweat band is likewise in excellent
condition and all of the cork mounting discs are
present, as is the small round size label at the back of
the band and the two brass chin strap hooks. The inside
of the sweat band still retains the ink stamped maker
and contract information indicating this helmet was
produced by the Horstmann Company under the contract of
March, 1889. The stamping is still legible, but is
faint like so many of these ink stamps.
The highlight of this helmet is that it still retains
the full length, original white patent leather chin
strap, complete with the brass adjustment buckle. These
white leather chin straps were not particularly robust
and they did not survive well in storage, often simply
disintegrating to dust in such places as Bannerman’s
Island. In spite of its age and obvious signs of use,
the chin strap retains the majority of the white
enameled finish to the leather. There is some crazing
to the finish as can be seen in the photographs, however
the leather is still strong and the strap displays
well. The method of mounting the strap on the reverse
brim and it being threaded through the small loop on the
back of the helmet’s band is interesting and provides
some insight as to how these helmets were worn by the
troops. The rarity of these white chin straps cannot be
overstated and they are simply not found on the loose
anymore. Finding one still mounted on the helmet as in
this case is a very nice added value.
This is a very nice example of one of the more unusual
pieces of US Army headwear from the Indian War and
Spanish American War periods. (0901) $550
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