New Here First Post...1st Lancaster Mounted Rifle Volunteers Helmet

[YeoHelmetGuy]

I thought I would post some images of a fairly obscure Albert pattern dragoon pattern helmet to the 1st Lancashire Mounted Rifle Volunteers that I have in my collection. The helmet is over-all silver plated with all silver fittings to include chin chain which is lined in red leather. The only exception to all silver fitting is the plume boss or rosette at the top of the white over red barber brush plume which is gilt. The helmet liner is also in red leather. The helmet plate is a three-or four-part construction consisting of the wreath, the star, the title scroll, and the disk in the center of the title with the arms of Lancashire which appears to be a separate piece. The 1st Lancashire mounted Rifle Volunteers were short lived from approx. February 1860 to November 1861 with an establishment of 3 officers and not more than 50 other ranks. in 1861 they were disbanded and reconstituted as Light Horse Volunteers with changes to the helmet plate. I hope readers find this of interest.

[Bill A]

Hello YeoHelmetGuy, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[GriffMJ]

Hello

Its a new one on me? I have seen another elsewhere.... I was a bit confused by it. I thought it was a Derbyshire Helmet with DOLancs plate of some sort. Is it a 2nd Boer War (end of) Dress Helmet?

Below is a Victorian DOLancs Yeo Light Dragoon leather Helmet, I think ...1850s? With a coulple of later metal helmets EVIIR? & QVC (Blackened).

[YeoHelmetGuy]

The helmet is an original and complete 1st Lancashire Mounted Rifle Volunteers helmet. Please see the attachments below form a 1957 edition of The Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research. The helmet is also mentioned in David J J Rowes book on dragoon helmets, "Headdress of the British Heavy Cavalry" There was also an identical helmet sold by Garth Vincent Antique Arms some time ago and can be seen at http://www.garthvincent.com/lancashi...nteers-helmet/. This helmet has never been tampered with.

[YeoHelmetGuy]

This is an original, complete and never tampered with 1st Lancashire Mounted Rifle Volunteers helmets. You will find reference to this helmet along with a photograph of the helmet in an article in the 1957 edition of The Journal of the Society for Historical Army Research titled "Helmets of the 1st Lancashire Mounted Rifle Volunteers and the 1st Lancaster Light Horse Volunteers". The helmet is also referenced in David J J Rowes work on dragoon helmets titled "Head Dress of the British Heavy Cavalry". There was also an identical helmet sold by Garth Vincent Antique Arms some time ago and can be viewed at http://www.garthvincent.com/lancashi...nteers-helmet/

[GriffMJ]

.... there is one that was sold on a Canadian Militaria website. Thats where I saw it.

Forgive my ignorance... I have never seen one before seeing that sale?

The confusing thing for me was the Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry looking plate

[YeoHelmetGuy]

... yes, it is... I know of the existence of the 1st Lancaster Mounted Rifle Volunteers after reading, a couple of years ago, the several essays regarding the unit that appear in The Journal of the Society of Historical Army Research from 1957 and 1958... there is a second article that also deals with the 1st Lancaster Mounted Rifle Volunteers and the unit that replaced them after their brief 22 months existence, the Lancaster Light Horse. I was also aware of the Garth Vincent sale, so when I saw this helmet, I snapped it up!

[YeoHelmetGuy]

... if you are interested in Lancashire military organizations and their linage you might enjoy this document at https://hcvv.home.xs4all.nl/milweb/G...nry/Lancs.html

[GriffMJ]

....thanks for the link.

Leicestershire and Denbighshire are my focus.

[YeoHelmetGuy]

... you are most welcome!!

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by YeoHelmetGuy

The helmet is an original and complete 1st Lancashire Mounted Rifle Volunteers helmet. Please see the attachments below form a 1957 edition of The Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research. The helmet is also mentioned in David J J Rowes book on dragoon helmets, "Headdress of the British Heavy Cavalry" There was also an identical helmet sold by Garth Vincent Antique Arms some time ago and can be seen at http://www.garthvincent.com/lancashi...nteers-helmet/. This helmet has never been tampered with.

I have here William Y. Carman, Light Horse Volunteers and Mounted Rifle Volunteers 1860 - 1901.

Contrary to what the is said in the document you show, it says that the 2nd Lancashire Light Horse Volunteers were attached to the 5th (thus not 15th) Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. As a consequence I have the 5th mentioned in the my web page Cavalry Volunteers Lancashire (which you already pointed to above).

I would of course be thankful for any definitive solution to this and then adapt the page when applicable.

BTW, Carman's book has extensive coverage of the uniform and specially the helmets (including black/white photos).

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by Wmr-RHB

I would of course be thankful for any definitive solution to this and then adapt the page when applicable.

T.F. Mills at The Liverpool Rifles also gives the 2nd Lancashire LHV as attached to the 5th Lancashire RVC.

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Wmr-RHB

I have here William Y. Carman, Light Horse Volunteers and Mounted Rifle Volunteers 1860 - 1901.

Contrary to what the is said in the document you show, it says that the 2nd Lancashire Light Horse Volunteers were attached to the 5th (thus not 15th) Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. As a consequence I have the 5th mentioned in the my web page Cavalry Volunteers Lancashire (which you already pointed to above).

I would of course be thankful for any definitive solution to this and then adapt the page when applicable.

BTW, Carman's book has extensive coverage of the uniform and specially the helmets (including black/white photos).

Just so you know the badge currently shown under the heading The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Imperial Yeomanry is the later post 1908 TY version. The below is the IY era badge.

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Just so you know the badge currently shown under the heading The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Imperial Yeomanry is the later post 1908 TY version. The below is the IY era badge.

Oops. I am glad with all corrections. Thanks a lot.

In due time you will see the corrected page (with your badge, may I?)

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by Wmr-RHB

In due time you will see the corrected page

Done (you may have to refresh the page to see it).

That is a hole filled

The badges are only illustrations to enliven the rather dry texts, but whenever possible, they should of course be correct.