This museum exhibit is a good example of the helmet worn by the KDG until 1834. It is metal, painted black, with gilt front plate, laurel leaves, chin-scale bosses shaped as a lion’s head, and edging to the front and rear peaks, as well as the joins where the crest fixed to the skull. The black fur crest formed an imposing top but presented difficulties on a windy day. The front plate is of universal design, having the Royal Hanoverian Arms and a scroll with the title 1st OR KING’S DRAGOON GUARDS. The chin scales are missing from this example but were ornate gilt pieces overlapping and laid on black leather.
The helmet was first worn in the early 1820s and can be seen in the 1823 portrait of Captain Leatham. But the rank-and-file and NCOs appear to have been issued with this pattern after 1824. According to the painting of the regiment in Newcastle in 1824 they were wearing the ‘Waterloo’ pattern but with a crest instead of the long horsetail mane.
Other exhibits in this photo include a miniature portrait of an officer of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, a KDG pouch-belt and pouch, and on the right, a pair of shoulder scales which were worn by officers in undress.
