Shako Of A Junior Officer Of A Grenadier Of The 120th Line Infantry Regiment, Model 1812,

SHAKO OF A JUNIOR OFFICER OF THE GRENADIER OF THE 120TH LINE INFANTRY REGIMENT, Model 1812, First Empire. 32607-1. Black felt body, edged at the bottom with a black velvet band (2 cm high), without a tightening buckle at the back as is the case on some shakos made to measure for the officer. It is covered by a 22.5 cm diameter black waxed cowhide leather crown folded down over the felt and covered with a 3.5 cm wide black velvet braid. Height of the body including the band and the folded-down crown: 20 cm. Visor (6 cm wide) of black patent leather embossed in relief on top of a molded border. Tricolor cockade in silver-scarlet and blue braid (5.5 cm diameter). A Model 1812 front plate in matte gilt brass with the raised areas burnished with agate, stamped in relief and cut in the shape of a crowned imperial eagle with outstretched wings, holding Jupiter's thunderbolt in its talons, resting on a shield-shaped base bearing the number "120," bordered by raised and fluted moldings with oak and laurel branches, and on each side, a flaming bomb. The plate is 13.5 cm high and 12 cm wide. The chin straps consist of a soft leather chin piece covered in black velvet and adorned with 15 scales, alternately cut into four and five scallops; the scales are sewn to the leather. They are approximately 19.5 cm long, with the widest scale measuring 3.3 cm and the narrowest 2 cm wide, and finished with a black silk cord. Round rosettes (4 cm in diameter) stamped in their center with a flaming bomb and bordered with a raised rim. The interior lining consists of a black waxed leather band, 5 cm high, surmounted by a 7 cm beige canvas band ending in a drawstring for adjusting the cap. France. First Empire. Fairly good condition, worn interior lining, original braid but reattached, rosettes not sandblasted, non-commissioned officer type.