Record 231/278 Catalog Record Civil War Exhibit Page Home Search Description  A French Model 1860 Military Shako imported from France in 1861 for use by Union regiments in the Civil War. Major General George Brinton McClellan ordered the Shakos in conjunction with French Chasseur uniforms. The Shako was issued to the 18th Massachusetts Infantry, the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry and the Invalid Corps which later became the Veteran Reserve Corps. The Shako is black leather with leather "V" shaped reinforcements on either side and leather bands reinforcing the top and bottom. The short visor is black with a green dyed finish underneath. There is an embossed "E" near the edge on the underside of the visor. There is a 2" leather sweat band inside the Shako with the numbers "7" and "2" scratched into the surface. The brass cap plate depicts an American Eagle with outstretched wings sitting atop crossed canons and arrows and an olive branch which encircles an infantry bugle. The red, white and blue national cockade, which is above the cap plate, is present however the pompon is missing. There are vents on either side of the Shako, both are black painted tin on the outside and brass inside.

Shako -THE CIVIL WAR -Copyright Oshkosh Public Museum COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ For access to this image, contact scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

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Last modified on: July 22, 2007