Austria-Hungary, Empire. An Army Infantry Shako, c.1916

(Tschako für Männer der Infanterie). A well-preserved Austro-Hungarian Army Infantry shako, constructed of a pressed blackened leatherette shell. The outer edge is lined with a pressed blackened composite fibre liner which demonstrates a red hue in direct light. The liner is topped with a machine-embroidered gold bullion wire tresse, overlaid by three machine-embroidered stripes. A bronze hook is inserted into the peak through a channel set behind the tresse, securing in place a horsehair tassel bearing a gold bullion wire cockade. Embroidered onto the centre of the cockade is a monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph. Also affixed to the peak is a finely-detailed insignia consisting of a double-headed Habsburg eagle clutching a sword and orb, overlaid by Emperor Franz Joseph’s coat of arms. Constructed of bronze, the eagle insignia measures 75 mm (w) x 90 mm (h). Emanating from the left of the shako is a gilded bronze lion’s head, with a protruding clip for the accommodation of a chain. Also pinned to the side of the shako are two First World War commemorative badges, each constructed of bronze. One bears an inscription of “K.U.K. INFANTERIE-RGT. NO. 21, 1914-1916” and measures 23 mm (w) x 36 mm (h), while the other bears an inscription of “GÖRZ, 1914-1916” and measures 30 mm (w) x 37 mm (h). Also pinned to the sides are a gilded bronze Habsburg patriotic badge, measuring 15 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), and a traditions badge of identical construction, measuring 24 mm (w) x 32 mm (h). Stitched to the rim of the shako is a boiled blacked leather liner, completing at the front in a multi-piece protruding visor. The leather liner is flanked on each side by a gilded bronze button bearing a raised number “25”. A brown leather sweatband is machine-embroidered to the leather liner and fully encompasses the circumference of the interior. Also set into the interior is a black cotton-blended liner, retaining a white tag bearing an illegible handwritten owner’s name and unit number. Otherwise unmarked, the shako measures approximately 190 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 125 mm (h), very fine.