51st Regiment of Foot

This is a helmet belonging to an officer of the 51st Light Infantry Regiment, later known as the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Dating from 1878-1881, this helmet is approximately 140 years old. It sports the rarer green cloth covering over its cork body rather than the more common blue cloth. The helmet was manufactured by Hawkes & Co, one of the main producers of British military uniforms in the late 19th century. It is complete with all of its metal fittings and even retains its liner and silk sweatband on the inside.