The cavalry opted to wear a peakless forage cap after c1860. The 1855 Dress Regulations describe a forage cap such as this but with a gold embroidered peak. However, the 1861 Dress Regulations do not mention a peak. Photos of that period confirm that officers in undress wore this pattern cap (see Chardin Philip Johnson in 1867). It was worn until c1904; dark blue cloth with a gold lace band 1.75 inches wide in the broken bias pattern, gold braid crossing over the top and a gold purl netted button in the centre.
This example was sold in a Bosley auction and belonged to Captain Lucas-Tooth who was killed in action in 1914 shortly after winning the DSO. The description says that the interior of the cap had a crimson silk padded lining and a leather sweatband bearing the officer’s initials. There was also a thin leather chinstrap.
