The line infantry regiments finally discarded the shako and adopted a helmet for home service in 1878. It was based on a cork frame and covered with blue cloth. The front peak was edged with gilt and the back peak edged with one eighth inch black patent leather. The helmet was topped with a gilt spike 3.25 inches high and a gilt curb-chain was hooked to either side on a gilt rose. This specimen has the chain brought up to a small hook at the back of the spike base. The front of the helmet has a large gilt plate topped with Queen Victoria’s crown and having a silver Sphinx on a black velvet centre inside the Royal Garter. A silver three-part scroll at the base of the star plate is inscribed THE . LINCOLNSHIRE . REGIMENT which would date the helmet after 1881. This pattern helmet was worn up until 1914, although the crown on the front plate changed to a King’s crown in 1902.
