Original French 2nd Empire Military/Fire Helmet Brass Chinscales with Rosettes

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Original French 2nd Empire Military/Fire Helmet Brass Chinscales with Rosettes:
$125.00

Matched set of original Frenchchinscales, with rosettes, for military or fire helmet, used ca.1825-1880, in very good condition.

These “chinscales” are actuallysingle-piece stampings with faux scalesimpressed thereon, lined with light leather, and secured with tietapes in front, and palm-frond pattern bosses at their distal ends. This pattern of brass chinstrap saw service, briefly, on Army mountedservice helmets during the Louis Philippe period, and on fire serviceheadgear beginning in 1840. Given the Sapeur-Pompierpenchant for prolonged usage andrecycling, such chinscales were seen in use through the latenineteenth century.

This set is free ofany of the cracks or breaks typically seen on this pattern, retainboth original leather linings, and even one cotton tie-tape. Bradsare intact on both rosettes. Both scales and bosses bear anexcellent age patina, but would easily polish to bright brass. Oftenmissing from otherwise outstanding helmets, this chinscale set shouldprove a very welcome find for some happy collector.

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