British Officers wore the shako from c1815 displaying a star shaped badge on the front, but in 1835 the 10 regiments of the Bengal Light Cavalry adopted this Maltese cross pattern badge with the regimental number in the centre. The arms of the cross were edged in gilt with a silver hobnail interior. The 8th were distinguished by having their first battle honour on a garter surrounding the 8. Most other examples of BLC shako badges have the crown attached to the cross but this badge appears to separate them.
