Yeohelmetguy
Well-known member
Hello all,
Another new addition to my collection of Victorian British Army headdress is an 1864 pattern Artillery Staff Officers forage cap. The forage cap is in lovely condition albeit the gold regimental pattern lace, after approximately 160 years, is now somewhat faded. Of interest is the absence of a gold net button to the top and center of the gold lace filigree on the crown of the cap as called for by regulation. There is no evidence of a button ever being attached to this particular cap as there is no hole in the crown to accept a button shank. The absence of the button in and of itself is fairly insignificant; these items of uniform being tailor made with some minor discretion to pattern and/or personal taste was exercised. The peak is of black patent leather with gold peak edge. The interior of the cap has a kid skin leather headband and is lined in red silk. Unfortunately, the makers mark/label has faded.
This pattern peaked forage cap was first introduced in 1864. The round forage cap with peak was worn in the Royal Artillery only by officers on the staff at the Royal Artillery school at Woolwich. It was the standard forage cap of General Staff pattern but with a cap band of gold artillery regimental pattern lace. All other artillery officers, warrant officers and staff sergeants wore a round forage cap, a blue peak-less cap or pillbox with a band of artillery regimental pattern lace. The 1864 pattern cap was 3 inches high with a band of 1 5/8 inches gold artillery regimental pattern lace at its base and a gold netted button on the top with a figure of gold braided lace 4 ½ inches wide around the button. In 1883 the height of the cap was lowered to 2 5/8 inches. This pattern was officially abolished in 1902 but continued to be worn until the general issue of new pattern peaked caps was complete in 1904.
Cheers,
David
Another new addition to my collection of Victorian British Army headdress is an 1864 pattern Artillery Staff Officers forage cap. The forage cap is in lovely condition albeit the gold regimental pattern lace, after approximately 160 years, is now somewhat faded. Of interest is the absence of a gold net button to the top and center of the gold lace filigree on the crown of the cap as called for by regulation. There is no evidence of a button ever being attached to this particular cap as there is no hole in the crown to accept a button shank. The absence of the button in and of itself is fairly insignificant; these items of uniform being tailor made with some minor discretion to pattern and/or personal taste was exercised. The peak is of black patent leather with gold peak edge. The interior of the cap has a kid skin leather headband and is lined in red silk. Unfortunately, the makers mark/label has faded.
This pattern peaked forage cap was first introduced in 1864. The round forage cap with peak was worn in the Royal Artillery only by officers on the staff at the Royal Artillery school at Woolwich. It was the standard forage cap of General Staff pattern but with a cap band of gold artillery regimental pattern lace. All other artillery officers, warrant officers and staff sergeants wore a round forage cap, a blue peak-less cap or pillbox with a band of artillery regimental pattern lace. The 1864 pattern cap was 3 inches high with a band of 1 5/8 inches gold artillery regimental pattern lace at its base and a gold netted button on the top with a figure of gold braided lace 4 ½ inches wide around the button. In 1883 the height of the cap was lowered to 2 5/8 inches. This pattern was officially abolished in 1902 but continued to be worn until the general issue of new pattern peaked caps was complete in 1904.
Cheers,
David
