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PARTS FOR THE MODEL 1881 ENLISTED
MAN'S DRESS HELMETS: These are all
original parts. Each is described below with
photographs.
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET PLUME SOCKET AND PIN ASSEMBLY:
As worn by all mounted officers and enlisted men on
their Model 1881 Dress Helmets, these original plume
socket and mounting pin assemblies are complete with the
original plume washer and the original brass wing nut.
With no dents or misshaping, the plume socket is in full
form. The mounting pin is full length with the threads
intact. The washer that mounts between the top prongs
of the socket and the underside of the plume, and the
brass wing nut which secured the assembly inside the
helmet, are two of the more difficult pieces to find if
they are missing from this assembly. All these pieces
have a natural aged patina, however if you need to
brighten them to match the other fittings on your
helmet, they can be polished. This is a very scarce
offering that is almost impossible to find on the loose
in today’s market. I have a very limited number of
these sets. (0446) $350
 
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET INNER WASHER:
As worn on all of the Model 1881 Dress Helmets, this
original interior ventilator/washer was a necessary and
integral component of the helmet. It served to
distribute the tension on the pressed wool body caused
by tightening the plume or spike assembly into the
threaded socket at the top of the helmet, and with the
cut outs in this piece, it served to allow the
circulation of air in the crown of the helmet. In full
form with the maker’s name legibly stamped, this simple
piece is one of the scarcer components of the dress
helmets and is often missing from most surviving
helmets. (0453) $50
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MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN’S STAFF DRESS HELMET EAGLE
PLATE - EXCELLENT SPECIMEN: As worn on the
Model 1881 Enlisted Man’s Dress Helmet by soldiers
assigned to the staff departments such as Commissary,
Electrical, Engineer, Medical, Ordnance, Quartermaster,
and Signal Corps. Instead of the crossed cannons,
sabres or rifles of the artillery, cavalry, or infantry
plates, the soldier assigned to a staff billet affixed
the appropriate German silver overlay appropriate to his
department.
In
excellent condition with all of the bright gilt finish
intact with only some minor discoloration, this plate is
full form with no damage and all three of the attaching
wires are present on the reverse. This plate is from
old stock of the type obtained from Bannerman’s years
ago. Original plates are quite difficult to find today
in this condition, and staff plates have become almost
impossible to find on the loose. (0452) $200
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN’S
DRESS HELMET SIDE BUTTON DISPLAY – VERY NICE SELECTION
INCLUDING SOME VERY SCARCE EXAMPLES: A
great selection of original US Army dress helmet side
buttons, including several very scarce branches.
Starting at the far left of the top row, a Model 1872
Infantry Shako side button, second row Commissary,
Medical (1872-1886), Engineer and Ordnance departments.
The third row - Signal, Quartermaster, Medical (1887)
and Electrical (very rare). Mounted on a black
velvet covered paperboard which is stamped on the
reverse identifying this display as having come from the
Paul Hedren collection. Paul was one of the larger
Indian War uniform collectors of his era. This is
a very nice Indian War era display piece to add to your
collection. (0119) $150
ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 INDIAN SCOUT DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – EXCELLENT MATCHED EXAMPLES - VERY
RARE SET: Virtually never found on the
loose, this matched pair of Model 1881 Indian Scout
Dress Helmet Side Buttons. In unissued "new old
stock" condition, these came from an old New York
collection and were originally purchased from a cache of
old Bannerman's inventory. A rare helmet
decoration that never shows up on the loose.
(0118) $300
ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1872 ARTILLERY DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – VERY RARE EARLY PATTERN -
EXCELLENT MATCHED SETS: These differ in
having the lined
background rather the stippled background of the later
Model 1881 Artillery side buttons, and being fitted with attaching wires rather than the
solid flat tabs. These rare sets of side buttons
were made in relatively
small quantities for the Model 1872 Light Artillery
Dress Helmets. (0625) $100 per pair
ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 ENGINEER DRESS
HELMET SIDE BUTTONS – EXCELLENT MATCHED RELATIVELY
SCARCE SETS: Another of the seldom
encountered branches, this matched pair of Model 1881
Engineer Dress Helmet Side Buttons. In unissued
"new old stock" condition, these were originally
purchased from a cache of old Bannerman's inventory.
(0626) $75
ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS MODEL 1881 INFANTRY OFFICER'S
DRESS HELMET SIDE BUTTONS W/ INTEGRAL CHIN CHAIN HOOKS –
VERY NICE SETS: Unique to the officer's
helmets which featured the leather backed chin chains,
this is a pair of Model 1881 Infantry Officer's Dress
Helmet Side Buttons. (0108) $35
ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS M1881 ENLISTED MAN’S DRESS
HELMET BUTTONS – SEVERAL DIFFERENT BRANCHES IN PAIRS –
SEE LIST: Original Indian War period US Army
M1881 Enlisted Man’s Dress Helmet Side Buttons, most
offered in matched pairs. Complete with the attaching
tabs on the reverse, these buttons are unissued with
much of the original gilt finish present. Real nice
sets, these are old stock obtained from Bannerman’s
years ago.
Artillery Model 1881, pair: $45
Cavalry, pair: $25
Commissary, pair: $25 Quartermaster, pair $40
Medical 1887, pair $25
ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR NEW YORK STATE MILITIA DRESS
SHAKO SIDE BUTTONS – VERY NICE MATCHED PAIR:
An uncommon offering, these New York State Militia Shako
Side Buttons were used for a short period before being
eclipsed by regular army patterns of uniforms that New
York eventually adopted. Attractive buttons
bearing the NY state seal. (0624) $30
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ENLISTED STAFF MEMBERS OVERLAY INSIGNIA FOR THE
MODEL 1872 US ARMY FORAGE CAP OR KEPI AND THE
MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET STAFF EAGLE PLATE – ORIGINALS:
These overlay insignias were issued to the enlisted men
who made up the various staff departments of the Indian
War army. These overlays were worn in conjunction with
a separate surrounding wreath on the Model 1872 Forage
Caps and were attached to the center of the Staff Eagle
Plate for the Model 1881 Dress Helmets. These same
insignias were used on both pieces of headwear.
For the most part, these were issued in far smaller
numbers than the artillery, cavalry, and infantry cap
insignias, so they are far scarcer today than the Model
1872 Forage Cap crossed cannons, sabres and rifles that
are normally available. Likewise, for the same reason
of smaller numbers of staff soldiers, these overlays
were produced and issued in smaller numbers for the
dress helmets.
Each of these is an original insignia and not one of the
later restrikes. I have the following limited selection
– each one a single piece – and when this supply is
exhausted, I’m not sure when or if I will find any
others. Each is described below with accompanying
photographs.
ca. 1881 SIGNAL CORPS OVERLAY INSIGNIA:
The scarcer 1881 white metal crossed signal flags
without the torch which would be added in 1891. Both
attaching wires are present on the reverse. (0910) $75
ca. 1879 QUARTERMASTER OVERLAY INSIGNIA:
White metal crossed quill and key with the attaching
wires on the reverse intact. (0911) $75
ca. 1877 COMMISSARY OVERLAY INSIGNIA:
White metal crossed quill and key with the attaching
wires on the reverse intact. (0138) $75
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET OAK LEAF BASE:
As worn on all of the Model 1881 Dress Helmets, this
original oak leaf base is in full form with a natural
aged patina. If you need to brighten it to match the
other fittings on your helmet, it can be polished.
(0450) $25
MODEL 1892 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS DRESS HELMET
CRUCIFORM BASE:
Unique to the United States Marine Corps Model 1892
Dress Helmets, this original cruciform spike base is in
full form with a natural aged patina. It is complete
with the four separately mounted stars on each
extension, and the chin chain hook is still present on
the rear extension. This is a scarce piece to complete
your Marine Corps dress helmet. (0449) $75
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET SPIKE: As worn by
all dismounted officers and enlisted men on their Model
1881 Dress Helmets, these are original spikes. Full
form with the threaded attaching rods intact, these
spikes have a natural aged patina. If you need to
brighten them to match the other fittings on your
helmet, they can be polished. (0451) $20
NOTE:
These spikes do not use the brass wing nut that appears
in the photograph – the threaded rod on the base of the
spike threaded into the threaded socket on the top of
the helmet body, so the nut was unnecessary. I
inadvertently left the nut in place when I photographed
the spike, but the nut is not included with the spike.
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1833-1851 DRAGOON HELMET PLUME SOCKET:
A scarce piece for restoring or recreating the US Army
Dragoon Helmets from 1831 through 1851, this original
plume socket is full form with the mounting wire loop
intact. The type of piece that is virtually impossible
to find on the loose today, this is a rare opportunity
to complete a piece of dragoon headwear. (0454) $75
1832-1851 INFANTRY CAP PLUME SOCKET:
A scarce piece for restoring or recreating the US Army
Infantry Cap from 1832 through 1851, this original plume
socket is full form, but it does appear to have had the
height of the socket shortened, perhaps a soldier
affected modification for some reason. The original
mounting wire loop is intact. The type of piece that is
virtually impossible to find on the loose today, this is
a rare opportunity to complete a piece of early Infantry
headwear. (0455) $50
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MODEL 1881 DISMOUNTED OFFICER DRESS HELMET SPIKE
AND OAK LEAF BASE – PRIVATE PURCHASE INTERLOCKING SET
WITH REMOVABLE SPIKE: While this was not a
regulation design, these interlocking spike and base
sets are known to have been available during the period
the Model 1881 Dress Helmets were worn by the regular
army and state militia officers. This design must have
had a genuine appeal to the officers who were required
to purchase their own uniforms and fittings, and when
doing so, could avail themselves of improved designs
such as offered in this set. When storing their dress
helmets for movement between assignments, having the
ability to remove the spike from the helmet to prevent
damage to the felt helmet body was certainly a benefit.
This set is in like new condition, showing no signs of
wear or age. The tabs on the spike which engage the
slots in the base are both present and both sets of
attaching wires are present on the underside of the
base.
This is a nice set that is not commonly found and it
would make a good addition to a helmet display or to
complete an officer’s dress helmet. (1004) $150
 
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS DRESS HELMET SCROLLS & RINGS:
These original "Scrolls & Rings" were used in pairs on
the Model 1881 Dress Helmets - one positioned high on
each side of the crown - to attached the braided cord
sets so the cords would drape over the front and rear of
the helmets. A necessary accessory to complete a
dress helmet. (0109) $15 per scroll and ring
fixture
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ORIGINAL INDIAN WARS DRESS HELMET SHIELD & HOOK:
These original "Shield & Hook" primarily used on
officers Model 1881 Dress Helmets - one mounted high on
the back of the helmet on which to attach the loose end
of the officer's chin chain when it was worn draped
around the helmet. (0110) $15
I have a few of the shields without the hooks, but I'm
not sure what those were used for. If you want one
of these without the hook, please let me know when you
place your order..
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MODEL 1881 DRESS HELMET PLUME PIN – COMPLETE SET IN
UNISSUED CONDITION:
This is an original Plume Pin
assembly as was used on the Model 1881 Dress Helmets
worn by all mounted soldiers.
These assemblies are in “like new”
unissued condition, and are complete with the nut and
washer. The decorative head is 1 ¼” in diameter and the
threaded shaft is 5 ½” long. The brass has a nice
naturally aged patina, but it will polish up if you
prefer.
This old Bannerman stock is
beginning to disappear from the market and soon will be
very difficult to find. (0251)
$45
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NO.
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MODEL 1881
ARTILLERY DRESS HELMET EAGLE PLATE:
In excellent condition with all of the bright gilt
finish intact, this plate is full form with no damage
and all three of the attaching wires are present on the
reverse. This plate is from old stock of the type
obtained from Bannerman’s years ago and quite difficult
to find today in this condition. (0901) $125
 
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MODEL 1881
ARTILLERY DRESS HELMET EAGLE PLATE:
In very good condition, showing some tarnish from use
and age, this plate is full form with no damage.
The reverse surface still retains the bright original
finish and all three of the attaching wires are present.
From old stock of the type obtained from Bannerman’s
years ago, these plates are becoming increasingly
difficult to find on the loose. (0216) $85
 
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MODEL 1881 ENLISTED MAN'S SUMMER HELMET
VENT COVER: As provided with the Models
1880 (White) and 1889 (White and Khaki) Summer Helmets,
these vent covers screwed into the threaded shaft in the
vent on the crown of the helmets. As often as not,
those helmets are found with these vent covers missing.
At one time fairly easy to find, these vent covers have
all but disappeared from the market. This one was
made in khaki, but shows evidence of having had some
whitening applied. This cover could be colored to
match your helmet with very little effort. It
shows some wear, but still retains its cloth covering,
the threaded shaft is intact with clean threads, and the
vent holds its proper shape. A scarce opportunity
to complete your helmet. (0906) $75
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MODEL 1881 ARTILLERY OFFICER'S DRESS HELMET
PLUME - VERY GOOD SPECIMEN: As worn on the Model
1881 Artillery Officers Dress Helmet, this bright
red buffalo hair plume is in very good condition..
The original net wrapping around the base of the plume
is
still intact and the hair is very full without showing
any significant loss. (0807) $150
 
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