Royal Dock Yard Battalions, c1840-1857, a superb example in copper gilt and silver of the officer’s shako and ensuing helmet plate, the die stamped back plate displaying the crown over demi oak and demi laurel wreaths, at the base a scallop shell and tri-part title scroll, ‘ROYAL DOCK YARD BATTN’, mounted centrally on a burnished ground a silver fouled anchor, two loop fasteners to the reverse; together with the correct pattern velvet mounted copper gilt chin chain, the links with oak leaf decoration, one of the lion’s mask side ornaments of incorrect pattern; the copper gilt two-part rectangular pattern officer’s waist belt plate, this with roped edges and central mount of crossed flags (Union and Naval), and a QVC over oak wreaths enclosing a fouled anchor, the gilt very fine overall (4) £350-450

See colour illustration (Plate VIII).