Original Item: Only One Available. The Victorian era was one of the most glamorous times for military uniforms, wonderful bright colors, predominantly red, beautifully tailored and worn with amazing ornate headgear.

Exotic helmets abounded with every regiment displaying their own versions. Of course, this was all "for show" and in their everyday lives things were quite different.

What we offer here is typical headgear of many other ranks soldiers when not on parade. Officers also used pillbox hats but with more adornment.

This is an Other Ranks hat dating somewhere from 1800 to 1900. Beautifully constructed of navy blue Melton cloth and handsomely decorated with embroidered dome cap and gilt tape border.

Leather head band remains as does the interior rich red silk lining. The lining is nicely gold embossed HOBSON & SONS, ARMY CONTRACTORS CAP AND ACCOUTREMENT MAKERS,  1.3. & 5. Lexington St. Golden Square London W. 

The cap even has the original very thin original leather chinstrap. Hats like this are often encountered in old photographs and illustrations being worn in a jaunty fashion at an extreme angle that perhaps led to the later term "side cap" for casual military head wear.

A fine example, possibly 140 years of age offered in lovely display condition.