Shako of the 43rd Line Infantry Regiment, Model 1806, First Empire.
Sold out
SHAKO OF THE 43rd LINE INFANTRY REGIMENT, MODEL 1806, FIRST EMPIRE.
The body of the shako consists of a 18 cm high felt, which corresponds to the dimension set by the decree of February 25, 1806, making it of the greatest rarity. It is reinforced by two leather chevrons sewn in a V shape on each side of the barrel (width of each chevron is 1.5 cm). It is covered by a waxed cowhide cap, very strong, with a diameter of 23 cm folded over the felt to a height of 3.5 cm. At the bottom of the felt, there is a leather chinstrap, 2.5 cm wide, at the back a copper buckle, with its tongue, under which a plain calf skin gusset is placed to facilitate the movement of the chinstrap. A visor made of strong varnished cowhide is attached to the front of the shako, measuring 5.5 cm below and 5 cm above.
A plaque (or crest) is affixed to the front, diamond-shaped (H 12.2 cm, width 11.4 cm) made of embossed brass depicting a crowned imperial eagle holding Jupiter's thunderbolt in its talons placed on a shield stamped with the number "43" in the center. Surrounding moldings protrude, with a ribbon border decorated with a relief festoon.
Above the plaque is a cockade, of the three colors, placed on the felt using a brass point on each side. This cockade measures 7.2 cm in diameter, with the white circle on the outside, followed by red and blue in the center.
Below the cockade, there is a loop for the plume attached to the felt.
This shako is one of the earliest productions in the French army and it does not have chinstraps as stipulated by the regulation.
On each side of the shako, a 3.5 cm diameter brass star forming a hook in the center is attached to the part of the cap folded over the barrel. A white woolen loop cord corresponding to center companies (fusiliers) is attached to these two stars.
A lenticular blue sky woolen plume, with a center made of white wool featuring the number "4" embroidered in red wool representing the company number. It is placed above the cockade on the shako. The pompon measures 6.9 cm in diameter, with a flame height of 4 cm.
In very good condition, which is rare for an authentic headgear from the First Empire.
France.
First Empire.
PROVENANCE:
Formerly part of the Christian Blondieau collection. It is featured in his work "Aigles et shakos du Premier Empire", special edition Uniforms 1980, page 14, figure 28.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The 43rd Regiment was at Austerlitz in 1805, received their shako in 1806 and took part in the battle of Jena. In 1808, they started the campaign in Spain; they captured Bilbao and defended Osuna.
The body of the shako consists of a 18 cm high felt, which corresponds to the dimension set by the decree of February 25, 1806, making it of the greatest rarity. It is reinforced by two leather chevrons sewn in a V shape on each side of the barrel (width of each chevron is 1.5 cm). It is covered by a waxed cowhide cap, very strong, with a diameter of 23 cm folded over the felt to a height of 3.5 cm. At the bottom of the felt, there is a leather chinstrap, 2.5 cm wide, at the back a copper buckle, with its tongue, under which a plain calf skin gusset is placed to facilitate the movement of the chinstrap. A visor made of strong varnished cowhide is attached to the front of the shako, measuring 5.5 cm below and 5 cm above.
A plaque (or crest) is affixed to the front, diamond-shaped (H 12.2 cm, width 11.4 cm) made of embossed brass depicting a crowned imperial eagle holding Jupiter's thunderbolt in its talons placed on a shield stamped with the number "43" in the center. Surrounding moldings protrude, with a ribbon border decorated with a relief festoon.
Above the plaque is a cockade, of the three colors, placed on the felt using a brass point on each side. This cockade measures 7.2 cm in diameter, with the white circle on the outside, followed by red and blue in the center.
Below the cockade, there is a loop for the plume attached to the felt.
This shako is one of the earliest productions in the French army and it does not have chinstraps as stipulated by the regulation.
On each side of the shako, a 3.5 cm diameter brass star forming a hook in the center is attached to the part of the cap folded over the barrel. A white woolen loop cord corresponding to center companies (fusiliers) is attached to these two stars.
A lenticular blue sky woolen plume, with a center made of white wool featuring the number "4" embroidered in red wool representing the company number. It is placed above the cockade on the shako. The pompon measures 6.9 cm in diameter, with a flame height of 4 cm.
In very good condition, which is rare for an authentic headgear from the First Empire.
France.
First Empire.
PROVENANCE:
Formerly part of the Christian Blondieau collection. It is featured in his work "Aigles et shakos du Premier Empire", special edition Uniforms 1980, page 14, figure 28.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The 43rd Regiment was at Austerlitz in 1805, received their shako in 1806 and took part in the battle of Jena. In 1808, they started the campaign in Spain; they captured Bilbao and defended Osuna.
Reference :
193
Next update Friday, july 4 at 13:30 PM
FOR ALL PURCHASES, PAYMENT IN MULTIPLE CHECKS POSSIBLE
bertrand.malvaux@wanadoo.fr 06 07 75 74 63
An authenticity certificate of the item including the description published on the site, the period, the sale price, accompanied by one or more color photographs is automatically provided for any item priced over 130 euros. Below this price, each certificate is charged 5 euros.
Only items sold by me are subject to an authenticity certificate, I do not provide any expert reports for items sold by third parties (colleagues or collectors).