Protective wear an essential part of Inca's quest (7)

I believe the answer is:

casques

'protective wear' is the definition.
(historical type of helmet)

'an essential part of inca's quest' is the wordplay.
'an essential part of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'CASQUES' is hidden in the letters of 'incas quest'.

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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