US Cavalry Enlisted M1881 helmet

[AZPhil]

Hello All,
I just won this and these are the seller's pic's.

I have ALWAY's wanted one of these,
I mean this has been a Bucket list item and I wasn't actively searching for one.
It was on a FB page, I was scrolling along and saw this and went for it.

Now I have to get the yellow cord that goes from the helmet to the uniform.
Like seen in the photo's.
My understanding is that unless I have some direct provenance , It was most likely put together using surplus parts.

Let me know what you think?








Here is a image of it being worn




And the Main reason I wanted one of these.
My Great Great Uncle Mattew Fisher





Semper Fi
Phil

[AndyM35]

Congratulations Phil! I don’t know a lot about these but they certainly look good. I’m curious about how the chinstrap would have been attached? Appears to have been from the outside?

Always great when a fellow forum member ticks one off the bucket list!

Andy

[AZPhil]

Thanks Andy.
And to answer your question about the chinstrap,
It attaches to the outerside buttons on the helmet.

Well I posted this helmet on USMF and this is one reply.

"The chin strap is very difficult to find. So that alone was a score. The plume holder appears to be a restrike as sold by Stokes-Kirk (has seems on the ball). The one I bought at their store in 1972 is like that. No big deal though- originals are available. I would say it is an “assembled for collectors “ helmet based on it not having one hole near the top of each side where the brass cord holder would have been. But no big deal as 99% of these helmets are assembled.

Depending on what you paid, you did fine. Nice helmet- especially with that chinstrap.
when I was at the Stokes-Kirk store, they had a big stack of helmets- all in mint condition. They would “build them on demand “ - $25 each. I specifically remember the owner telling me they had no cords or chinstraps. That’s why you don’t usually encounter them on helmets today. Somehow a chinstrap found it’s way to your helmet "


Since I found out that the plume socket was a Stokes-Kirk type 1 repop, I had to ask about the Cavalry Front plate eagle and buttons and the plume just to know if they were repop's or original and I'm getting that they are originals.

So I'll say, I filled my rusty bucket list!!

I'll be on a hunt for a original plume socket and put a repro cord on it to display.

I wish I could have been at the Stokes-Kirk store in the 70's and got this for $25,

I paid $293 shipped, I have been told that was a good price for what I got.


Semper Fi
Phil

[RH1941]

Nice Phil here is mine

[AZPhil]

That's a Beauty!!!

Semper Fi
Phil

[RH1941]

Thanks Phil