SPANISH LIGHT INFANTRYMAN'S HELMET, POSSIBLE MEXICAN USAGE
Ca. 1825 Spanish Light Infantry Helmet, a raupenhelmfirst introduced ca. 1806. The molded leather body is enameled black and bears a leather visor with japanned steel rear cape. Visor is trimmed in brass, and the helmet's front bears a large brass turban with applied coat of arms of Ferdinand VII (Ferdinand reigned in 1808, replaced by Joseph Bonaparte, reinstated in 1814, died in 1833). Hinged brass rosettes affix the single piece scales. The helmet's original crest of black silk plush is clean and in near perfect condition, with a scarlet plume of "vegetable horsehair" fitted to a conical receiver. The liner is of fair kid skin, multi-fingered with drawstring and a brass tag stamped: "ILI:41". (Infantera Legera 1, Numero 49) with a similar brass plate mounted to the comb. Excellent. In the mid-1820s, the Spanish Army totally reorganized with regimental names also being attached to regiments. The 1st Regiment of Light Infantry became the 5th and 11th line regiments de Catalunya, and a Catalunya light infantry battalion garrisoned the Mexican island of San Juan de Ulua in 1823.