REPRODUCTION ALBERT SHAKOs

In 1844 the British army introduced the Albert shako for the infantry which replaced the more ornate Belltop. It was not universally accepted by the troops and certainly in the latter years of its existence during the Crimea War the soldiers swapped it for the more comfortable forage cap. The name Albert bears witness to the Prince Consort who was thought to have taken a hand in its design. Repromilitaria reproduction Albert shakos are available for several different  regiments.

The Albert shakos construction was 6 and three quarter inches deep and was a quarter inch less in diameter at the top than the bottom, with a patent leather top turned over at the edge to a breadth of 5 eigth inches. It had two peaks, the front one being 2 and 3/8 eigth and the rear one and a quarter inches. It should be noted that the official dimensions were frequently flounted by numerous regiments which made their shakos considerably taller making them more imposing. Repromilitaria has produced its Albert shako to be 7 and a half inches deep to give it the more imposing look and the hat size is 54cm which can be adjusted downward a little with the inner bag string.

This is a REPRODUCTION of the 1844-1855 Royal Welsh Fusiliers Officers Albert Shako. It was a move away from the impractical Belltop shako but proved less than popular with the regiments having to wear it. This is a detailed reconstruction of the 1844 shako. The shako had a leather band to the bottom of the body culminating in a buckle to the rear. A brass chin chain employed ornamental fastenings to the helmet. The helmet plate is a highly detailed large grenade with the Prince of Wales feathers. The shako was surmounted by a ball tuft and ornate socket. Inside there is a liner and a pull cord fastening.

Royal Welsh Fusiliers Officers Albert shako ........  £145   ARRIVING SOON