Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Essex Regiment Officer’s Blue Cloth Helmet c. 1881-1901, the blue cloth skull complete with all gilt metal fittings, the very fine frontal plate of crowned star pattern with oak leaves and Garter overlays, in the centre on a ground of black velvet a silver Sphinx/Egypt over Gibraltar Castle/motto ‘Montis Insignia Calpe’, at the bottom a silver scroll ‘The Essex Regiment’, buff leather sweatband and trade label ‘Best London Manufacture’, the plate not original to the helmet, together with the japanned metal carrying tin with trade plaque ‘Traylet & Co., Portsmouth’, one small moth hole otherwise very good overall condition £500-600