Kgl.Sächs. Karabiner-Regiment (2.Schweres Regiment) Metalhelm
 
Model 1894 Kgl.Sächs. Karabiner-Regiment (2.Schweres Regiment) Mannschaften Metalhelm (King's Saxon Karabiner-Regiment - 2nd Heavy Cavalry Regiment - Other Ranks metal helmet) stationed in Borna as part of the XIX Armee Korps. The helmet is manufactured from Tombak (an alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc) with Neusilber (Nickel silver) fittings. It is worth noting that the removable M94 (M91 pattern) chinscales are also manufactured from Tombak not brass. This helmet is identical to that worn by Kgl.Sächs. Garde-Reiter-Regiment (1.Schweres Regiment) (Dresden) XII Armee Korps. Only the unit stamp identifies it as Karabiner-Regiment (2.Schweres Regiment). On 19 July 1907 the Sachsen Reiter Regt. were entitled to wear a removable lion on parade, while the Karabiner-Regiment continued to wear horse hair plumes on parade.

In 1876 the four Sachsen (Saxon) Schweres Reiter (heavy cavalry) Regiments were reorganized. Two Regiments were equipped with Tombak Metallhelme: Kgl.Sächs. Garde-Reiter-Regiment (which retained its name), and Sachsen Reiter Regt N. 3 which was named Kgl.Sächs. Karabiner-Regiment. Sachsen Reiter Regts 2 & 4 became Kgl. Sächs. Husaren-Regts Nr.18 & 19 and were equipped with Pelzmützen (Busbies).
 
 
A view of the Kgl.Sächs. Karabiner-Regiment Mannschaften (Other Ranks) Wappen (front plate). The Wappen is a massive convex die-stamped Neusilber (Nickel silver) 120mm star with a gilt Sachsen (Saxon) overlay.
 
This photo shows the riveted rear plates of the so-called: 'lobster tail' neck guard and the rear raised ridge reinforcement which was only retained after 1889 on Sachsen (Saxony) Metalhelme. Yes that is me in the reflection, there is simply no helmet more difficult to photopgraph than a polished metal one.
 
A side view of the M1894 Kgl.Sächs.Karabiner-Regiment (2.Schweres Regiment) Metalhelme. Note the massive Tombak chinscales and matching M94 posts (M91 pattern) specifically made for Schweres (heavy) cavalry. They are huge. If I used one side of a chinscale to attack a cow I could kill it. The Kokarden are large Schweres (heavy cavalry) 66mm cavlary officer pattern, which indicates the man was a Unteroffizier mit Portepee (The two highest rank of NCO, who were entitled to wear the officer's sword knot and officer's Kokarden).
 
The interior of this Model 1894 Mannschaften (Other Ranks) Metalhelme is facinating. The "fingers" of the heavy leather liner are quite long and close together at the top. At some point, this appears to have not been comfortable for a soldier who was issued this helmet, so holes were punched into each liner finger and a leather strip inserted to tighten the liner. On Preußen (Prussian) issued Metalhelme the visors are painted, green on the front, black on the rear. On this Karabiner-Regiment Metalhelme the visors are lined in thin leather which has shrunken somewhat from age and is now rock-hard. The leather goes under the Neusilber edge trim, so it was done when the helmet was made and cannot be a later addition.
 
The unit Quartermaster has stamped into the front visor trim "K.5.II" (Karabiner Regiment 5th Squadron 2nd Troop). This Metalhelm came with a parade plume and base red horse hair that indicates the soldier was a musician. Parade plumes worn on Metalhelme was unique to the two Sachsen (Saxon) Schweres Regiments.
 
Kgl.Sächs. Karabiner-Regiment (2.Schweres Regiment) wore a Tombak Metalhelm with Tombak chinscales, so the Epauletten (worn daily) are also Tombak. The Epauletten worn by Kgl. Sächs.2. Ulanen-Regt. Nr.18 appear identical but Ulanen-Regt. Nr.18 wore gilt (brass) fittings so the Epauletten are brass.