Other Ranks’ Shakos 1844 & 1855

A new shako was introduced in 1844, generally called the Albert shako, as the Prince Consort had been involved in the design. For the rank and file it was made of black felt, 6.75 inches deep but slightly tapered towards the top. The top was of leather, turned over at the edge to form a half inch leather band. Another band of leather was stitched around the base. There were peaks on the front and on the back. A leather chin strap was attached to small brass rose bosses. The badge on the front was the same circular device as worn since 1839 on the bell top shako. However, staff sergeants had a star badge similar to that worn by the officers. The ball tuft shown in the illustration is white over red for Battalion Companies. The Grenadier Company had a white tuft and the Light Company had green.
The shako on the right was introduced in 1855 when the uniform was changed as the Crimean War was coming to an end. The tailed coat was replaced by a long skirted tunic and this lower shako was issued, its design inspired by the French allies who fought in the Crimea. The shako was made of thick felt, 5.25 inches deep in front and seven and one eighth inches deep at the back. The diameter of the cap was one inch less than at the bottom to produce a pronounced tapering. The top was lacquered leather, sunk, and turned over the edge to a depth of three eighths inch. There was a wide peak at the front and a narrower peak at the back. Near the top were, on each side, circular blackened metal discs with holes for ventilation. The ball tuft remained the same as before, white over red for Battalion Companies. The badge was changed to a star shape with the regimental number in the centre and Victorian crown above.
These illustrations are by Bryan Fosten, taken from The British Infantry Shako 1800-1897 published by the Military History Society in 2008.

Regimental Details | Uniforms