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an image of a military officer ' s helmet on a white backgrounda helmet that has a gold decoration on it
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MILLON

527 - A rare dress helmet for an officer of the Guards Gendarmerie…
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Estimate €3,000 - €5,000
Sale commission
Description
A rare dress helmet for an officer of the Guards Gendarmerie Field Squadron (Гвардейский Полевой Жандармский эскадрон), 1878 model. The helmet is made of silver-plated brass; the eagle at the crest has been replaced by a flaming grenade in gilded brass, mounted on a gilded brass base with four rivets; the chin straps are made of gilded brass scales, with a cockade on the right in enamelled metal in white and orange-black, imitating a rosette; in the centre, the silver St Andrew’s Cross of the Guard, 84 zolotniks (875 thousandths), with high-quality polychrome enamelling, surmounted by a (simplified) silver-plated scroll inscribed: ‘За Турецкую войну 1877–1878 года’ (“For the Turkish War of 1877–1878”), interior in black leather and cream silk. In good condition, with signs of wear and oxidation. The plate: St Petersburg, before 1899, silversmith PF in Cyrillic. Date: reign of Alexander III or Nicholas II (before 1899). H. 27 x W. 17.5 x D. 27 cm. History On 5 March 1857, the Gendarmerie squadron was issued with a ‘metal helmet of the Guard model with the Star of Saint Andrew, a white metal eagle or a white plume’, depending on the uniform. However, no mention is made of a grenade, even though two gilded brass grenades can be seen in the 1857 painting by Adolf Jebens (Gebens), held at the Tsarskoye Selo Museum (see illustration). On 2 August 1872, he was issued with a leather helmet of the Guard model, then on 9 February 1878 he ‘returned to the metal helmet: steel, with tolpak trimmings, a plate supporting the grenade and scales on the chin strap, a silver eagle or a horsehair plume’.” However, no details are given regarding the colour of the grenade; strangely enough, both gold and silver versions are known to have existed. On 17 April 1878, he was presented with a banner of distinction: “За отлучiе въ Турецкую войну 1877 у 1878 гоговъ” for his conduct in the Battle of Gorny Dubniak and the capture of Telish.
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About the sale Russian Art – Mr G’s Collection – Part 3
Auction location
Auction time 09/18/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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