Original U.S. Spanish-American War Era Army Model 1889 Summer Tropical Sun Helmet With Original Chinstrap by Ridabock & Co - Size 7 ⅛ French Ordnance Most likely this sculpture was

Most likely this sculpture was made during the reign of French Emperor Napoleon III

fitted with long leaf spring that runs almost the entire length of the grip just like the earliest Vetterli bayonets of the 1870s

Year of Manufacture: circa 1895

and nicely dated 1916

The Bell Model 212 was adopted as the UH-1N

Original U.S. Spanish-American War Era Army Model 1889 Summer Tropical Sun Helmet With Original Chinstrap by Ridabock & Co - Size 7 ⅛ French Ordnance Most likely this sculpture wasOriginal Item: One Only. This is a fantastic Spanish American war era sun helmet with very little staining present, a rarity! Included on the helmet is the original chinstrap which is another rarity in itself. Much like our European cousins in the 1880s, the U. S. Army started to adopt sun helmets, especially for use during the hot summer months. These saw active service in the Spanish American War of 1898, especially in the tropical climate in Cuba.