Shako c1840

The bell-topped shako worn between 1833 and 1854 conformed to the pattern adopted by the regular light dragoons between c1830 and c1844. The silver oak-leaf pattern lace around the top indicates that this is probably an officer's shako but the body of the cap is black felt instead of beaver which leads some to think that it is a senior NCO's cap. The chin scales are silver, or white metal which is unusual as brass or gilt were more often used with this style of cap. But the William IV badge and crown are gilt. The topmost point of the star is missing so that the crown should be placed close to the star but there is now an unexplained space between the two, The drooping white horsehair plume is fixed into a foliated socket. Regular light dragoons had a drooping plume of cocks feathers which was worn for duties in Britain while the horsehair plume was used in hot climates.