Officer's shako plate, Peruvian (c 1825)

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

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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]

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