U.S. Model 1880 Summer Helmet

size: original label 7 1/8

United States military Model 1880 enlisted man's summer dress helmet. After the German victory in the Franco-Prussian war armies all over the world adopted this style helmet. These replaced the Marine Corps Shako helmets and were themselves replaced by metal helmets by the late 1890's - early 1900's. White-painted canvas exterior, cloth-lined interior complete with chin-strap hooks and cork and leather headband. Helmet is in used condition, there's a small crack in the front visor and the sweatband is loose at the front end. Original scallop-edge size sticker proclaims this a 7 1/8, no other markings in helmet. A bit stained and fragile, but overall not doing too badly for being a 120+ year old pith helmet.