Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

A composite ‘cuirassier’ armour, comprising of a helmet probably Dutch mid-17th century with two-piece skull rising to a low comb, the peaked fall and lower bevor pivoting at the same points secured by a hook and catch on the right side, the face protected by a single bar rivetted on to the chin of the lower bevor, plain turns throughout and decorated with dome headed rivets and simple engraved lines, signs of old repairs and damage and lacking gorget plates, otherwise good condition. The breast and back plates adapted from a 19th century continental cuirassier armour, the original studs for shoulder straps and brass domed rivets removed and the latter replaced with floral headed rivets throughout, tassets added with matching rivets, and a pair of articulated arm and leg guards with domed rivet heads,19th century, modern leather strapwork throughout, basically good condition, defects in helmet as stated £800-1000