G013463 PRUSSIAN JÄGER EM/NCO'S SHAKO. (Tshacko)

BACKGROUND: The origins of the distinctive Shako has been somewhat shrouded with the passing of time with some military historians accrediting the French with its development in the 1780's, based on the design of the civilian top hat, while others acclaim that it was based on the Austro-Hungarian or Bavarian Casquette headgear that was introduced at roughly the same time. It is known, however, that the Shako was originally adopted by the Prussian army as a experimental model in 1801 and was the standard headgear utilized by Jäger and Schützen personnel during the Napoleonic Wars. The 1801 pattern shako went through numerous modifications and in March 1854 a new pattern was officially adopted by Jäger and Schnelle Truppen, (Light Infantry and Mobile Troops), personnel. Further minor modifications to the Shako occurred in 1860, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1895, 1897, and 1915. The Shako continued in use with additional modifications for the German police through the post-war Weimar era and on into the Third Reich period. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, 1915 pattern, blackened lacquered leather construction Jäger EM/NCO's Shako with grey washed, magnetic sheet metal fittings. The body of the Shako has an extruding, humped curve reverse with downward sloping front and rear leather visors and a circular "coffee can" style top. Both the front and rear visors are secured to the Shako by a row of horizontal machine stitching along the bottom edge of the body. The circular, "coffee can", style top is also secured to the Shako by a row of horizontal stitching. Each side of the Shako body has a small, inset, circular, magnetic sheet metal panel with seven punched "salt & pepper" style ventilation holes to each positioned just below the crown seam. The front center of the Shako has the standard 1914 pattern, stamped, magnetic sheet metal, Prussian EM/NCO's helmet plate. The helmet plate features the crowned Prussian eagle with upswept wings, clutching a royal sceptre and a royal orb with an embossed scripted banner superimposed on its wings and breast. The embossed script to the banner consists of, "Mit Gott Für Koenig und Vaterland", (With God for King and Fatherland), and has the royal, "FR" cypher to its breast indicating, Friedrich Rex, (King Friedrich). The helmet plate is attached to the Shako by two metal loops which extend into the interior through corresponding holes to the front. The eagle shows nice detailing and is nicely convexed to fit the contours of the Shako. The front center of the Shako also has a small, stitch reinforced, horizontal slash to accommodate the state field badge retaining wires. The Shako has the extended, magnetic sheet metal, M1891 pattern chinstrap retaining side posts positioned on each side of the body. Original chinstrap and korarden are present and in nice condition. The interior of the Shako has a blackened grained leather, seven finger, liner. Liner is very dry and some of the tips for where the adjustment string would have gone through are now missing. Roughly a size 56. Nice untouched example.

GRADE ****                                                         PRICE $745.00