Other ranks' shako, 1844-55 pattern, 49th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's or Hertfordshire) Regiment

The 1844-55 pattern shako is usually referred to as the 'Albert' shako after the Prince Consort who, as with so many things, is believed to have influenced its design. With its peaks both fore and aft the style is Austrian. One of the ugliest headdresses ever inflicted on the British Army, it was also unpopular for practical reasons, as Colonel George Bell of the 1st (The Royal) Regiment of Foot explained when writing during the Crimean War (1854-1856) from Scutari in June 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.'