This is a Victorian era helmet for the Gentleman at Arms. Her Majesty's Honorable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms serve as bodyguard to The Queen on ceremonial occasions. The Honorable Corps consists of five Officers (the Captain, the Lieutenant, the Standard Bearer, the Clerk of the Cheque and the Harbinger) and 27 Gentlemen. The skull and peaks are gilt metal with floral bands across the top of the front peak, rear peak and a band running down from underneath the plume holder to the top of the rear peak. There is gilt floral scroll designs on the front peak, rear peak and on the sides of the skull at the rear. The helmet plate has a large gilt Victorian crown over a gilt acorn and oak-leaf wreath with a gilt rococo shield inside it, a diamond cut silvered star inside the shield and a gilt crest of Great Britain in the center surrounded by a garter marked "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE". There is a gilt plume holder at the top with an 8-point base supporting a white swan feather plume with a ring. Two large lion's head ear bosses suspend red velvet backed gilt chin scales. The peaks are lined with red skived leather and there is a white quilted silk sweat band and lining. Accompanied by a helmet tin with brass "HAWES & Co." plaque and a "Major E.F.D.Gascoigne./Royal BodyGuard." brass inscribed plaque in cursive.

Excellent, the gilt components have a bright appearance with some minor wear on the high edges. The silvered star is tarnished. The sweat band, lining, red leather and velvet show some minor wear and are stained. The helmet tin is very good.