4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards Helmet Plate, other ranks, 1871 - 1914
A white metal and brass helmet plate in the form of a rayed star with the regimental number '4' within a garter bearing the motto 'Honi Soit Qui Maly Pense' (Shame on him who thinks evil of it). This badge was designed for the new helmet introduced in 1871. Regiments of Dragoon Guards wore white metal badges on brass helmets, while regiments of Dragoons wore brass badges on white metal helmets. The helmets were wore for full dress, and were abolished in 1914 when full dress was withdrawn from general use.
Most of the silvered and gilt finish has long gone, but this badge shows plenty of character, age and service wear. There are twists and bends in the protruding points of the rayed star, and there's a hairline crack in roughly the 11 o'clock position. All four screw posts are present on the reverse, with remnants of old brasso.
