Prince Albert was supposed to have been involved in the design of this shako, adopted by the British Infantry at the end of 1843. It replaced the previous bell-topped shako and had a slightly less ornate badge on the front. It was of black beaver, 6.75 inches tall, slightly tapering towards the top. The top was covered in a water-proof patent leather which turned over at the edge to a breadth of five eighths of an inch. A band of patent leather also covered the lower edge of the cap. The patent leather peak at the front was two and three eighths inch wide at the middle and a back peak of 1.25 inches at the back. There are gilt rose pattern ornaments at the side to hold a gilt chin-chain which is missing in this example. The battalion company (and field officer’s) ball tuft is white over red, secured in an ornate gilt socket.
