An original early 19th century French brass helmet with stamped brass crest embellished with oak branches, royal cipher plate in front bearing three fleur de lys, and mock leopardskin turban encircling base of crown and covering visor in front. This helmet was the form in use by Napoleon's dragoons during the latter part of the 1st Empire and only slightly modified in 1816 with the addition of the royal arms. The linked chain chinstrap and side-buttons appear to be from a M1825 French helmet and the horsehair crest is a later replacement. The helmet has its original leather sweatband inside, but it has largely come loose from its mounts and needs reattachment. There are dents in the helmet skull and crest and the brass finish is uniformly dull. Some loss to the mock leopardskin (woven woolen goods) along the front edge of the visor and rear edge of helmet. Trimmed with later green feather plume. Overall good considering age, etc., with exceptions noted above.