A Superb & Excellent Condition Mid Victorian Infantry Shako Service Cap, Pierced Centre, Double Crowned, With Lion Centre. General Service Shako Helmet Plate & And Rarely, Complete & Original, Leather Chin Strap

In as close to mint condition as an infantry service cap of over 150 years old can be. Near pristine cloth body with no flaws or moth, all original complet chamois lining silver mounted woollen ball plume, and complete and exceptional leather chin strap. excellent leather peak and skull banding. Excellent garter star helmetb plate with Victoria's crown surmounted by a lion, and large Victorian crown top-mount. A pierced centre with original red cloth backing and garter belt with royal motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense.'

In August of 1815, while the Army of Occupation camped in the Bois de Boulogne, a new model cap was introduced for the British infantry. Since 1812, the influence of foreign army’s headdress designs had become immensely obvious. British cavalry regiments almost universally altered their headgear to the same profile as their French equivalents — despite Wellington’s utter disapproval. The flared leather top shako had also become the dominant fashion for the infantry. Although many armies used this look, when it was introduced into Great Britain’s army, the style was described as “Prussian.”

In October 1843 the Duke of Wellington, who was Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, made alterations to the hat proposed by Albert. This included shortening it by 3 inches (7.6 cm), reducing the brim to a peak at the front and rear only and replacing the cross-shaped shako plate with one based on a star for line infantry regiments (and various designs for other units).Because the brim had been altered the new design became known as the Albert shako.

The public response to the proposed shako was generally negative, it being considered similar to the caps worn by Hessians and other German soldiers since the 16th century. By 20 December a new modified design was proposed, with the height increased to 6+3⁄4 inches (17 cm) and the brass tigers omitted and a chin strap introduced. This height was similar to that of the stovepipe shako, in use in the British Army from around 1800. The final design was similar to the shako then worn by the Austrian army. Prototype examples of the new shako were produced by Lock and Company of St James's Street by the end of the year

The Albert shako's formal replacement was the 1855 French pattern shako, introduced as part of reforms that year that reduced the amount of decorative details on British Army uniforms. The French pattern shako was shorter and is sometimes described as a kepi. It is not known if the reduction in size was to improve comfort or just in imitation of the headgear then worn by the French army.16 The ball-shaped plumes of the Albert shako were retained on the new headgear. The Albert shako was retained by the Sappers and Miners until 1857, when they were issued with busbies

Code: 25891