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The officers’ shako of this period, covering most of the 1870s, had similar dimensions to the previous pattern but was of a smarter appearance and had a slightly sunken top. It was the last pattrn of shako to be worn, being replaced by the helmet in 1878. Whereas junior officers had a plain shako before, the new shako had quarter-inch gold braid around the top and bottom, like the braid seen in these photos that traces the bottom edge and forming a diagonal line at the sides. This example is for colonels and lieutenant-colonels, having two rows of half-inch lace around the top. Majors had one row of lace around the top and a line of braid below it. Captains and below had two rows of braid.
The previous pattern had a slim leather chin strap, but the new pattern had a chin-chain linked to rose-shaped bosses on either side. The chain could be draped across the top of the peak and hooked up at the back where a lion’s head device was placed. The badge was re-designed, being common to most regiments apart from the cut-out numeral. The garter was inscribed HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE and the surround was made up of a laurel wreath and Victorian crown. The white over red ball tuft was retained and mounted on a gilt clasp. |
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