This fine example of the 1844 shako was worn by officers of the 25th King’s Own Borderers during the period that they retained British infantry uniform rather than distinctly Scottish. The cap was known as the Albert shako after the Prince Consort who was an influence in military matters. The black beaver cap is seven inches high and slightly tapered towards the top. The top is covered in patent leather, and the front peak is two and three eights inches at the widest point. There is a peak on the back of the cap 1.25 ins wide.
The chin-chain is gilt and fastened to the sides with rose pattern ornaments. The large gilt plate on the front is topped with a fine rendering of the Royal Crest, whereas most shako plates of this period had the universal Victorian crown. The only silver part of the badge is the Hanoverian White Horse in the right-hand oval. The other oval has the castle of Edinburgh surrounded by the city’s motto. The ball tuft on top of the shako is white over red, signifying that the cap was worn by either a battalion company officer or a field officer. The grenadier company officers had a white ball and the light company officers a green one. Flank companies were phased out after 1860.
The photo is borrowed with thanks to Hiram Dunn, KOSB Regimental Historian, artist, author and collector.
