This composite image is made up of photos taken by W Y Carman at a Militaria Fair in the 1980s. They are slightly out of focus but provide evidence that the first pattern of helmet won by the Hampshire Carabiniers was topped with a proper spike rather than an empty plume holder.
There is some confusion about the helmets worn by the Hampshire Yeomanry. The helmets are all of a similar 1871 pattern but the inscription on the oval garter is either HAMPSHIRE YEOMANRY or HAMPSHIRE CARABINIERS. The rose in the centre is either silver or gilt.
The Carabiniers always had silver metal helmets, unlike the gilt helmets of the 6th Dragoon Guards from which the regiment drew their inspiration, but the attachments varied between white and yellow metal. This specimen is unusual in being displayed without a plume, as some believe that the regiment wore plumes from 1884 but removed them for non-ceremonial duty. Photographs of a Corporal and a Subaltern support the notion that up until the mid 1890s a spike was worn. It was not possible to attach a plume to the spike, but when plumes were introduced the spikes had to be removed and exchanged for a plume holder which looked similar but had an opening at the top.
