Officer's Shako 1840

The new shako was ordered in November 1840 and came in four qualities, the best quality for the 20 officers, then 5 Troop Sergeant-Majors, 23 sergeants and 380 privates. The one on this old photo is the officer's type. It is of black beaver with a band of gold oak-leaf lace around the top. The gilt badge and crown were on the front and lion's head gilt bosses on the sides. The red and white plume is probably from the previous pattern of shako as the new plume was to be black. The band wore shakos at this stage but had red plumes. This shako was still worn in the Notts Yeomanry with the hussar style jackets introduced in 1844 and was not replaced until 1847.