An Extremely Rare 1845 Montreal Dragoons Officer's Shako

This shako is in the pattern, as described in the 1846 Dress Regulations. The exterior sidewalls are in black beaver, bound with a 44 mm band of gold oak leaf lace along the top edge and a 20 mm wide black patent leather band housing a brass buckle at the reverse along the bottom edge. The flat patent leather sunk top measures 85 mm wide x 200 mm in depth, and exhibits light crazing. The front is adorned with an extremely large gilt and silver shako plate, constructed of three pieces, illustrating the star and cross of the Order of the Bath, surmounted by the Victorian crown, measuring 115 mm x 170 mm. There are brass five petal rose cockades on either side, each firmly held in place with their original rivets and support plates on the underside, the cockades supporting a brass chain link chin strap with a black leather backer sewn in place. The visor has a black patent leather upper with a 25 mm wide raised band in gold lace embroidery, trimmed in gold bullion on either side of the band and sewn along the front edge. The shako measures 170 mm at the front not inclusive of the visor and rises to a height of 200 mm at the rear. The shako is enhanced by its period, expertly reconditioned dress plume in swan feathers, the feathers attached to a long black tab, protruding from a brass ball and multi-leafed base, the long black tab slides into a brass coupling at the front of the shako but is lacking its retaining screw. Inside, the underside of the visor is fabricated from a forest green moisture-resistant fabric, complemented by a 70 mm wide buff brown leather sweatband, exhibiting the expected wear and creasing from active use. The ends of the sweatband are glued together at the rear, exhibiting a museum code inscribed "72.171.1a" in white ink on the overlaying flap, establishing authentic provenance. There are limited traces of the quilted white silk lining remaining, the inner crown section now framed with a cardboard support. The shako is finished with a long cap line, the line two sliding adjustments and knots, all in silver and gold bullion, tied in the appropriate knot on the left side. All hardware appears to be original to the piece, with most of the stitching remaining intact and the exterior generally free of wear. Rare. Very fine. (39)