Bavaria, Kingdom. A Fire Brigade Helmet

(Bayern Feuerwehrhelm). A well-preserved Bavarian Fire Brigade helmet, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. It is topped by a narrow gilded brass comb which extends from the crown to the reverse, where it meets a boiled and blackened leather neck guard. Riveted to the peak is an insignia consisting of a silvered monogram of a silvered brass royal monogram, measuring 3.5 cm (w) x 7 cm (h). It is flanked on each side by a gilded brass lion head, each retaining a loop set through the mouths. A brass buckle secured to each loop accommodates a multi-piece black leather chinstrap, adjusted with a functional brass buckle. The exterior features are completed with a protruding boiled and blackened leather visor, reinforced along the rim with a gilded brass bar. The interior features a black leather liner, culminating ten fingers, each perforated at the top with an eyelet accommodating a drawstring which has been lost to time. A pressed leather stabilizer is set into the crown from left to right, and bears a handwritten owner’s name and additional black ink mark that appears to read “MÜNSTER 1914”. Illegible handwritten initials are etched into the neck guard. The helmet measures approximately 18.5 cm (w) x 23.5 cm (l) x 17.5 cm (h). The brass and leather elements demonstrate minor tarnishing and material fatigue respectively, but the helmet remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.