I want a soldier
(A soldier in a busby)
I want a soldier to come and play with me.
That’s how a six-year-old American kid learned what a busby is.
“Matt Busby. Dig it. Dig it. Dig it. Dig it.” I learned that from the Beatles.
A shako does that too, and isn’t all fluffy.
Shakos are ugly. Just revive the Home Service Helmet.
What I’ve always wondered about those big fuzzy hats - what’s with those chin-straps that don’t go under the chin?
I guess it was determined that chin-straps under the chin makes the guards look dorkish. Now they just look weird.
I’ve often noticed the same on British Bobby helmets …
They’re held in place by their stiff upper lip.
Less damage if someone/thing tries to knock the helmet off.
Right - better to damage your worthless skull than an expensive helmet.
I meant less damage to the head.
Yep.
Knock the helmet off backwards and now your constable has a garrote around their neck with a large easy to grab & turn handle on the back.
That’s not how straps work. If they’re tightened properly, they’ll keep your helmet on your head. Period.
Here’s a different sequence: first blow knocks your unsecured helmet off, second blow caves your head in. A lot more likely than your garrotting scenario.
The chinstrap thing is a Regimental Tradition. Some regiments are officially required to wear it under the chin. Other regiments are officially required to wear it between the chin and the lower lip.
As far as I can tell, all of the Foot Guard regiments wear it above the chin. In the Household Cavalry, the Life Guards wear helmets with the chinstrap in front of the chin, the Blues and Royals wear helmets with the chinstrap under the chin.
It’s a chin strap, not a submandibular strap.
Virtually all of these 18th and 19th century ceremonial headgear look ridiculous. Strapped or strapless, absurdly tall or short and squat. They are all stupid-looking. Bearskins, busbies, plumed helms - all of them are garbage. The sole exception is the beret.
Which still looks pretentious. But at least not stupid 
.
Next you’ll be telling me the Swiss Guard are overdressed.
Both the steel helmets and the sorta berets are cool.
It’s impossible to look uncool while wielding a halbard.
Eh, there’s always the Harrison Ford move when some clown is waving obsolete weaponry at you from a decent distance.