British Colonial Helmets Pre WWI (Group of 3)

A superb grouping of three foreign service helmets in beautiful condition, likely with cavalry—possibly Hussar—attribution. These helmets were acquired in 2010 from the renowned cavalry collection sold by Bonhams in London, and are believed to have belonged to a single wearer, possibly Canadian.

The first is a Boer War-era foreign service helmet, all in white with a matching white pagree, fitted with a gilded spike and spike base, and a Hussar pattern chin chain. The white cloth covering and pagree show only slight age foxing. The interior is in excellent condition, retaining its complete leather and red silk lining, showing only light evidence of wear. The upper inner crown features a gold-blocked Hobson & Sons, London label, and the green cloth lining is free from moth damage.

The second is a full parade white Wolseley pattern helmet, with six-panel canvas construction, white pagree, and gilded spike and spike base. The interior is superb, with a complete light tan leather and red silk lining. No maker’s mark is present, but it retains its standard home service pattern chin chain.

The third is a khaki Wolseley pattern helmet, also with six-panel covering and a khaki pagree bearing red and blue regimental colours. Fitted with a standard brown chinstrap and featuring a Montréal, Canada maker’s stamp on both the leather strap and gold-blocked on the light tan sweatband. The faint remains of a name are visible on the sweatband, one word possibly in French—suggesting a French Canadian connection. Museum accession numbers are also applied to the sweatband.

All three helmets are of identical size. The presence of the Montréal maker’s mark, combined with provenance from the Bonhams cavalry collection owned by a Canadian, strongly suggests a possible Canadian mounted unit origin.

Ref; 93918 XSC