65th of Foot Regency Shako Plate - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

badger123 · #1 02-11-23, 11:50 AM

Just thought I would show my latest acquisition, partly to share it but also because I am really pleased with finding what possibly is the rarest of all 65th Foot shako plates.

Its an 1822 to 1829 Regency Shako Plate and as far as I'm aware, its one of only 2 examples known to survive (the other one in in the Sultan of Oman's museum).

The purchase was a bit of a trauma (perhaps to be told another day) and when it arrived and after a good clean, it was clear that the fire gilt centre piece required re gilding.

I sent the centre piece to a conservationist in Exeter who did a fantastic job on re fire gilding the badge and although not cheap, I think the end result was worth it.

Regards, Ivan

Mercian · #2 02-11-23, 01:07 PM

Very nice.

Mike H · #3 02-11-23, 04:44 PM

Fabulous

badger123 · #4 03-11-23, 08:17 AM

Appreciate that not everyone is interested in badges from this era but for those that are, here is the the shako plate centre prior to it being re gilded.

Ivan

badger123 · #5 03-11-23, 08:26 AM

And here is the restored centre after re gilding.

If anyone needs any fire gilt work doing and is interested in the craftsman who did the work, please pm me and I'll send details. Although he's not cheap, the quality is fantastic and he is one of the few people who still uses the original process of firing mercury and gold.

Ivan

41st · #6 03-11-23, 08:45 AM

Very nice work. What have you put on the patent leather backing?

badger123 · #7 03-11-23, 08:49 AM

Nothing, the leather backing is the original piece with the woven cloth backing.

Ivan

41st · #8 03-11-23, 12:01 PM

I put a leather conditioner on mine, a little at a time over a long period. It will eventually allow the leather to swell out a little to fill the space behind the central device & brighten the colour.
Kevin

badger123 · #9 03-11-23, 03:08 PM

Ah sorry Kevin, misunderstood your first post.

Thats a good point, I've not put anything on the leather and perhaps I should have......

Overtime, the badge had pressed itself into the leather so when I put the thing back together, I had to match the markings on the leather to the badge centre which was a bit tricky.

Thanks, Ivan