Albert shako
It entered into service the following year replacing the bell-top shako of the line infantry, light dragoons and Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners.
It was one of Albert's earliest involvements with the British Army, of which he had been appointed a field marshal in 1840 when he married Queen Victoria.
[6] Two brass tiger heads on either side concealed ventilation holes while a further flap was incorporated, to be opened in hot climates.
A shako plate was affixed to the front of the hat consisting of a royal crown above a Maltese cross marked with the regiment's number.
[6] There is little evidence that the hat was produced in any great quantity, though a number may have been trialled by the 49th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot, newly returned from service in Hong Kong.
[7] The hat was mocked in a Punch cartoon and in October the Illustrated London News said "public opinion has been so unequivocally expressed against it, that it is not likely to prove a popular substitution for the cap now in wear".
[5][2] In October 1843 the Duke of Wellington, who was Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, made alterations to the hat proposed by Albert.
This included shortening it by 3 inches (7.6 cm), reducing the brim to a peak at the front and rear only and replacing the cross-shaped shako plate with one based on a star for line infantry regiments (and various designs for other units).
[9] The public response to the proposed shako was generally negative, it being considered similar to the caps worn by Hessians and other German soldiers since the 16th century.
[5] By 20 December a new modified design was proposed, with the height increased to 6+3⁄4 inches (17 cm) and the brass tigers omitted and a chin strap introduced.
[11] Prototype examples of the new shako were produced by Lock and Company of St James's Street by the end of the year.
[10] The other ranks' shako was the same as the officers' except that it was made of napped felt (and was therefore somewhat heavier) and the metal adornments were in brass rather than gilt.
[17] The hussars found the busby too hot for service in India and the shako was permitted to be worn there with a white cotton cover that also helped protect the neck.
In some regiments, such as the 10th Hussars the shako was decorated with gilt circlets around the top for officers and yellow lace for the other ranks.
[20] The shako was generally only worn in the earlier battles of the war such as Alma and Inkerman, being replaced by the round forage cap in later actions.
[12] Colonel George Bell of the 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots) complained in 1854: "The next thing I want to pitch aside is the abominable Albert, as it is called, whereon a man may fry his ration beef at mid-day in this climate, the top being patent leather to attract a 10 fold more portion of the sun's rays to madden his brain".
