Rifle Brigade Shako

[HARRY THE MOLE]

I'm not sure where I should post this really, as it's one of those items that doesn't appear to fit in with any of the forum threads. Having undergone major surgery in recent weeks, I've been at a loose end while recovering at home and much of my time has been spent perusing through the endless loads of crap that is put up for sale on fleabay. By chance, I came upon a reproduction Napoleonic shako, but closer examination revealed it to be not just any reproduction shako. This one was made by prestigious London Hatters, Woodrow of Piccadilly. And the royal warrant stamped on the silk lining revealed that it had some age to it. The hat is a copy of a British Napoleonic period 'Belgic' shako of circa 1812. It is beautifully constructed from a green cloth of similar texture to that used on the Home Service helmets, with the inside lined in silk or satin - not sure which it is - but certainly made to the highest standards. Click on pictures to enlarge.





The peak is leather edged with white metal, and the helmet plate is of finely detailed brass and bearing the George III cipher with a 'Rifles' badge placed above on a rosette. The interior bears the royal warrant with the wording: HATTERS TO THE LATE KING GEORGE V'. It's this bit of information that dates the shako to 1936. There is also a penned inscription that reads: 'LORD MAYOR'S SHOW This leads me to believe that the shako was made for the (London) Mayor's show of 1936, the theme of which was the defence of the realm through the ages. Click on link to see video... https://youtu.be/AN9IGiYOiCc

Cheers,
Steve

[TabsTabs1964]

Hi Steve.
I sincerely hope you are well (it is never a good thing to have your flesh cut, even if they are expert surgeons)...

Well, the truth is that you have uploaded a really beautiful piece with a whole story behind it, even if it only goes back to 1936. I have certainly learned something about the city of London that I didn't know.

Kind regards
Santi

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Hi Santi,

I'm absolutely fine. I had a full hip replacement three weeks ago, and I was sent home the day after the op - so there wasn't much in the way of aftercare following the op and I contracted cellulitis. Aside from that I am getting about OK. With regards to the shako, there is another video of the parade. Not as long, but with some more detail of some of the uniforms worn. I wonder how many of these helmets survived after almost 90 years? It can't be that many.

Here's the link.... https://youtu.be/nl3njBZ8OGg

Cheers,
Steve

[Jerry B]

Nice hat. I believe it took a number of years for the royal warrant to be changed to reflect the death of George Vth, it did not happen straight away in 1936.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Nice hat. I believe it took a number of years for the royal warrant to be changed to reflect the death of George Vth, it did not happen straight away in 1936.

According to what I have read, the Royal Warrant holder is granted two years grace to continue using the Royal Warrant after the death of a monarch. Woodrow were also granted a new warrant from King George VI. The Mayors parades of 1937 and 1938 were entirely different themes from the parade of 1936, and from the available film, I have seen no evidence of Napoleonic uniforms appearing in the 1937 and 1938 shows.

Cheers,
Steve