17th lancers helmet plate

[Butcher]

Asking for opinions on this helmet plate on the back of the plate there is some evidence where it has been glued to some red velvet possibly for display ?
Looking at the plate in natural light there is a copper tones showing on the shield of the coat of arms
Sorry looks like I posted it in the wrong section ..
Gareth

[Luke H]

Had this been posted in the reproductions or cavalry sections I expect you may have received more replies.

Sadly lancer plates have been heavily copied some extremely convincingly by a process called electroforming. Sadly member Neibelungen who knew much about this process and the copies in existence passed away in summer 2022.

In many cases the originals are quite thin and if held up to the light can be seen through in places.

On some reproductions incorrect metric measurement bolts and screws are used so this can sometimes be an indication.

Personally I do not like the dark discolouration on your example, especially to the reverse. It is not one I would buy.

[leigh kitchen]

Sad to hear re. Neibelungen, now I and a few others know why PMs weren't receiving replies from him.

[Luke H]

Yes very sad indeed. I had the pleasure of briefly corresponding with Andrew by email in what turned out to be the two months prior his passing.

It wasn’t until this summer I discovered his fate via Facebook on his Military Metalwork page.

A very talented craftsman his work was used in Sharpe series, Star Wars and Gladiator films amongst others.

The below Royal Marines shako plate handmade from scratch. I feel there was more talent in his hands than modern day Firmin and Gaunt combined.

[leigh kitchen]

Wandering off topic, but many years ago my father, who'd worked in a South London foundery ("Stones") since about 1937, give or take the odd war and the like made a couple of decorative daggers, milled from solid, high grade blocks of steel and copper.
The blade of one needs polishing as it's still an unfinished brushed finish and I'd like both of their solid copper hilts adapted to copper with wooden scales, I tried to contact Neibelungen but.......

And that's a nice looking piece of workmanship, that plate.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Yes very sad indeed. I had the pleasure of briefly corresponding with Andrew by email in what turned out to be the two months prior his passing.

It wasn’t until this summer I discovered his fate via Facebook on his Military Metalwork page.

A very talented craftsman his work was used in Sharpe series, Star Wars and Gladiator films amongst others.

The below Royal Marines shako plate handmade from scratch. I feel there was more talent in his hands than modern day Firmin and Gaunt combined.

That is good.
Andy