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Title Officer's shako plate
Nationality Peruvian
Period c 1825
Price £300.00

This would have been worn on one of the early Peruvian shakos in the late 1820s to commemorate the surrender of the Spaniards and the liberation of Peru in 1824 and the founding of the independent state of Peru in the following year. It probably represents the third infantry regiment.

It is a die-struck plate (14 x 12.5cm) of very thin gilding metal, with a heavy mercury gilt finish to the front. There are no tabs or studs on the reverse for fixing to a shako, nor are there any pairs of holes for fixing in the French manner.

The number 3 is pinned on to the main plate. There is some wear and damage to the central coat of arms, in particular a cut at the neck of the llama, and there are considerable stress cracks throughout the piece (through which light can be seen).

This was black when I bought it and I cleaned it carefully with ammonia and soap. I have never seen one of these in 40 years of dealing. A piece of history from the time of Simon Bolivar.

Prov: from the J.R. Gaunt & Son Ltd. Pattern Book Archive, sold at auction by order of the National Army Museum, London.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Militaria : Badges : Peruvian : 19th Century]

testimonials

[From a vendor, rather than a buyer]

I'm delighted that you are happy with the badge and I hope you can sell it to someone who will value owning it.

I tried to sell it on eBay but they won't accept Nazi items. I then contacted several dealers via a Google search who mostly offered me £40-£50 after some haggling. Most of the other dealers tried to conceal its true value in their replies and also lacked manners which doesn't inspire confidence.

Ultimately it's about trust. I should think that most prospective sellers have done their own research and therefore know roughly what their item is worth. You were the only dealer who had the integrity to concede that my valuation was approximately correct and I respect your comment that you can't offer this as you need to make a profit. Your honest approach is greatly appreciated and I felt comfortable taking the risk in sending it to you.

Thank you for a smooth transaction

C D, UK, 01.07.2015

[It] got in [arrived]! It's a fine piece.

G V, Belgium, 11.08.2008

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