National Park Mystery Photo 29 Revealed: Standard U.S. Cavalry Dress Headwear, Circa mid-19th Century

Within the barracks at Fort Laramie National Historic Site you can find dress uniforms worn by the U.S. Cavalry, including their ornate helmets. NPT file photo.

Stroll the barracks at Fort Laramie National Historic Site and part of what you'll see are some of the dress uniforms the U.S. Cavalry kept on hand for special occasions.

Literally topping these uniforms were ornate helmets that some believe have a Prussian inspiration. The yellow cord and horsehair plume are indicative of mid-19th Century cavalry troops.