French, Circa 1830, Light Infantry, Garde Nationale Shako
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $495.00

Original era manufacture. Tall, cardboard bodied, wool covered shako, of an enlisted soldier of a regiment of Chasseurs a' Pied, during the period of the July Monarchy, circa 1830-1840. The shako stands just under 9 inches in height, with a blue wool covered body, and a red woven cotton band at the top. At the base of the shako is a black patent leather band, with a quarter-moon shaped leather visor.The interior of the shako displays a very wide black leather liner, with 6 fingers with grommets for an adjusting string. The interior of the body of the shako displays quite well the philosophy of "throw nothing away", as old documents were used to cover the interior. Black leather top, shows light scuffing around the edges. Silver washed segmented chinscales, and front plate, with hunting horn decorated side buttons for Light Infantry. The red-white-blue cockade on the front has been repainted, but nicely aged, and there is some wear in the red banding as shown, with some minor moth damage to the blue wool covering.Quite an impressive piece of old headgear, very 1st Empire looking for a fraction of the price.