Item #68413 : Original period manufacture. Classic leather shako introduced to the French Imperial Army in 1860, thousands of similar examples were imported into the United States during our Civil War. This one however remained in France and retains it's blue-white-red cockade, which is reversed from the American red-white-blue. On the front of the shako is an example of the correct pattern Imperial eagle plate worn on these shakos, this one displaying the regimental number 7. On the reverse of the eagle plate is an 1861 date, next to the brass tab which holds the plate in position. Of note, the 7th Regiment was one of the units sent to Mexico during the French Intervention 1861-67. Not making a claim here, when the shako was purchased it was missing a plate, I had an extra 7th regiment plate in hand and installed it. The stitching is sound, original and correct pompom (also installed by yours truly) for the 6th company. Really a cool old piece of headgear, but found ill favor with the troops who had to wear it.