Very Rare Original British Army Hertford Militia 'French Pattern' Shako 1855-61, with its original tin
With black silk covering to the body, black leather peaks to the front and back and a sunk leather top
With a white metal Victorian crowned rayed star mounted with the VR cypher within a circlet inscribed with the unit title
A headband lining of pale leather and red silk, bearing the label of JB Johnstone,
A white over red pompom in a white metal holding socket - the pom is correct though the ball element of the metal holding socket is not the correct fitting such that it does not sit properly on the top of the shako - note that the asking price reflects this.
With its black leather chinstrap, and a black lion's mask to the rear.
Makers label for J. B. Johnstone of Dublin and London in place on both the shako liner and on the tin.
In generally very good condition except for part of the silk crimson liner being unstitched, though this could be sympathetically repaired
