Scottish Shakoes - a Rare Breed

[Mervyn Mitton]

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This post deals with the Shakoes worn by two very famous Scottish Regiments. The Highland

Light Infantry and the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

The two helmets that I will be showing date from the Boer War period - however, the Shakoes date

back to earlier dates - 1860's. I understand that only these two Regiments wore them - again,

that does not mean that smaller units within Scotland did not have them at some time. Readers'

comments will be appreciated as always.

I do not plan to go into the history of the Regts., rather this is to show these unusual hats.

Being black, they have been a nightmare to photograph - black accessories on black cloth do not

show well. My apologies if they are not very clear.

One final note - to have both examples of the o/r's helmet is fairly rare - particularly in the very

fair condition these are-in.

[Mervyn Mitton]

These photos will show the two shakoes together. The Cameronians has the Egret plume.

During the 19th C and into the early 29th C. there was great demand for these feathers from both

the military and from costumiers. They were dyed to many different colours as originally they are

white.

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[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-32612100-1335790344.jpg

[Mervyn Mitton]

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[jocktamson]

Just a slight correction Mervyn, the plume on the Scottish Rifles Shako is actually an officers plume, The Other ranks wore a Brush style plume the same as the Shako on the left in the post below at post #34

 

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/43871-tam-oshanteror-what-is-it/page__st__20

[Mervyn Mitton]

Thankyou Jock - sounds as if a replacement was made ? This is an o/r's pattern ? Mervyn

[jocktamson]

Yes its a Scottish Rifles OR's pattern Shako Mervyn....so many of them are missing the plume, someone has just put an officers plume as a replacement. The officers pattern have lace arond the bottom and top edges of the shako as in my own shako...here

 

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/45483-scottish-uniforms-accoutrements/

[Mervyn Mitton]

Thankyou Jock - I remember the great quality of your collection from when you first posted.

Have you had anything recently ? Always remember you have a very interested audience........