1810 French Sappers Helmet qestion

[Havelock]

Have just aquired this 1810 pattern French sappers helmet with later addition 1830 2nd Republic pompiers badge, the town mentioned is abouut 30 miles north of paris ( Savignies)
My question is,,althought the condition is bad in as much as it`s missing the original chin scales, feather hackle, fur crest and most of the brass crest including the liner should I clean it, I know some say no and others yes but what do you think ? should I at least clean off the old built up brasso residue or leave it as I bought it ?.
My other question is what do you think it might be worth ?,,

[Lampwick]

I would clean it. When it was worn it would have been clean so why not try to show it as it would have looked? There are occasionally spare parts on eBan or you could go down the reproduction path. Try some of the groups in France that re-enact Napoleonic forces, they would have a link to suppliers of parts like crests and scaled chin straps etc.

[GregN]

Hi Havelock, check out Age of Kings Militaria, they have original and repro parts for French helmets. They are not cheap but come highly recommended.

Cheers,

Greg