First Surrey Rifles Victorian Officer’s regimental pattern Helmet c 1860

An extremely fine and rare example unique to this unit. One piece black fur felt skull with pronounced front and rear peaks surmounted by a slender gilt cruciform with supports the large fluted gilt spike. To the front a gilt crowned wreath, half laurel half palm, surrounding a circlet inscribed “First Surrey Rifles”. To the centre, a silver strung bugle with “1” between the cords. Across the top of the peak, attacked to the gilt lion’s head bosses which support the velvet backed chinchain, a narrow band of gilt metal. To each side, equidistant to the cruciform base and lion’s head, a small gilt rose. To the reverse, a slightly bigger rose with hook to support the chinchain in the upright position. Lightly quilted crimson silk adjustable wide sweatband. A few stitching faults to chinchain otherwise generally VGC. Formed as South London RVC 14th June, 1859 at Camberwell. From February, 1860 shown as 1st Surrey RVC. It would appear this was Surrey’s answer to the leather head-dress by 32nd Middlesex RVC known as “Six-foot Volunteer Guards