Pre-WWII 1920s-1930s West Point USMA Shako Complete! OLD! SUPERIOR
Full Parade Dress SHAKO as worn by the Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. This dates from the late 1920s through the WW2 era. NOTE: The period Uniform, Red Sash, Sword Sling, and Cadet Sword are NOT included in this sale, but the CADET SWORD and the SWORD SLING are listed for sale separately on this site. Size is an approximate 7 1/8 or 7 1/4. This most likely was worn by an Officer whose class was one the LAST classes to receive training with horses. Cadets’ Company assignment (until 1960) were still based on height, the taller men going to the “flanker” Companies, and still graduated by General Order of Merit (until 1970). RARE in this SUPERB CONDITION!! Well cared for and stored for the past 75+ years! TRUE STAMPED BRASS Chain-link Chin Strap! Late 1920s-1930s West Point U. SHAKO for wear with the Full Parade Dress Uniform. The WEST POINT SHAKO is an often overlooked piece of headgear by WWII collectors! Pershing, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Westmoreland, Dawkins, Schwarzkopf, Pompeo wore one of these first! This is NOT a current molded PLASTIC SHAKO!! Unlike many SHAKOS, the large-plate U. Crest INSIGNE (the “Fried Egg”) the BRASS VISOR TRIM, and the CHINSTRAP BUTTONS are GLEAMING! The Brass Insigne shows years of very, very careful polishing with’Brasso’ — the breast of the Eagle surmounting the shield with Athena’s Helmet, has been’correctly smoothed’ during the Cadet’s Plebe year to increase reflectivity. There are ZERO scratches to Athena’s Helmet. This INSIGNE with the correct two knurled brass SPINNERS is in absolutely PERFECT condition! No plastic, no polyester, no vinyl whatsoever!! This Shako is made of WOOL over Pressed Fiber, LEATHER, and BRASS. This is a SUPERB vintage piece whose basic design has remained unchanged for generations! Particulars of construction and condition. The AGE/ANTIQUITY/WEAR of this particular Shako is evident in four features: (1) The Lacquered CHINSTRAP shows wear and significant surface’crazing;’ (2) There is a single vertical hairline crack in the center of the heavily polished VISOR, which does NOT detract from the Visor’s appearance; (3) Beneath the heavily-polished Calfskin CROWN very minor’spiderweb’ crazing can be detected beneath the multiple layers of polish; and (4) The CHINSTRAP BUTTONS show very heavy polishing wear — which adds to the’patina’ of this piece. True CALFSKIN Top (not Vinyl)! True stamped BRASS (not plastic) CHAIN LINK Decorative Chin Strap! The original “hooked connectors” that fasten to the ” CADET/ USMA” CHINSTRAP BUTTONS are present! The interior of the crown is lined in a fine BLACK COTTON! The Liner is of Black LAMBSKIN, not Vinyl! The interior Lambskin LINER is supple and is in an amazing state of preservation! The LINER is intact- with ZERO b rittleness,’crazing,’ or tears!! The PATENT LEATHER TRIM and VISOR have been spit-shined and are gleaming with ZERO’bubbling’ or crazing from exposure to heat over the decades, (only the minute hairline crack, visible upon close inspection)! The Solid Brass VISOR TRIM is still solidly attached, unbent, and shines like a MIRROR! The black WOOL CROWN retains its PERFECT shape! The black cotton liner- adjustment SHOELACE is also present. Marked THE CADET STORE, WEST POINT, N. Inside the older’SMALLER’ Silver gilt lozenge. The later Cadet Store’lozenge’ was’larger’ and stamped in gold, not silver, gilt. This was a contract with the long-time supplier of Shakos for over a century, J. BAYLY AND SON, INC. OF FINE UNIFORM HEADWEAR / EST. Photo illustrated trade catalog of 1900 they described themself as BAYLY HAT MANUFACTURERS OF FINE SILK AND FUR HATS. SUPERIOR Black Wool exterior! Both Blackened Copper VENTILATORS are present. The Patent Leather TRIM Strips and the Crown TOP are in SUPERIOR “spit-shined” condition! The GLISTENING heavily-lacquered Adjustable Black Leather CHINSTRAP shows age, cracking, but with ZERO breaks! It is intact, supple, and strong! The ADJUSTMENT TABS/KEEPERS are HAND-STITCHED not stapled! Black POMPOM (made of SHORN WOOL), canted forward, is in PERFECT condition and has the highly polished Brass FERRULE. Note: The current Pompom is made of shorn Polyester. This is a complete West Point U. SHAKO Full Dress Parade Cap!! This is the SHAKO design adopted in 1898 (along with the Insigne with the Academy’s Coat of Arms). The one significant change to the Shako over the past century and a half was to the brass Insigne Plate: The direction Athena’s helmet faced was reversed. In deference to the dictates of Heraldry, her helmet was made to face to the wearer’s RIGHT (facing DEXTER) in 1922, not to the wearer’s LEFT (facing SINISTER)! Affectionately referred to as the “Tar Bucket, ” this SHAKO shouts Tradition! This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “bataan12213″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Theme: Militaria
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Time Period Manufactured: 1919-38
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Modified Item: No