Police Officers Shako For Opinions Please

[cpmil]

Police Officers Shako For Opinions Please

[cpmil]

2

[cpmil]

3

[Dave C.]

It does look like an good example for a Gendarmerie officer. Although what I'm not getting a good feel for from the pics is the thickness of the insignia plate on the front, these are generally about twice as thick as the other ranks and has pads underneath to fill the gap from the insignia to body of the shako. Another difficult part to access is the cockade, they have been well reproduced and can be difficult to tell about, what does the loop look like?

[cpmil]

Police Shako

Here are some more pics. Yes the eagle is absolutely stunning and very thick. Thanks, Mark.

[cpmil]

And More

[stonemint]

Nice original w/ the rare buffalo paradebusch.....

[W.Unland]

I agree that the tschako is a nice original example.

That said, like Dave, I do not consider the tschako plate to be "typical". Firstly it seems to be two piece. I have never encountered a two piece tschako eagle. Secondly it is very "thin" when compared to typical officer's grade insignia. Officer's insignia have a thicker cross section. The eagle stands out from the wreath, and the wreath itself is thicker as well. A nice officer's eagle is quite impressive and has great depth of detail.


The plate on your tschako has nice detail to the obverse and I have to assume that it is a variation that I have never seen. I have never seen a reproduction like this either. I would leave it alone.

The national kokarde is what should be mounted. There is really no way to tell originals from the well made reproductions available. THey are virtually identical.


Regards,
William Unland

[JoeW]

Like Bill, I have never seen a two-piece shako eagle. Very interesting. In the second photo of post #5, there seems to be something grey underneath the body of the eagle. Is it the other side of the wreath or what? Also, as Dave pointed out, there should a small cushion made of the same police green cloth of the shako to fill in the cavity under the eagle in the center portion of the wreath. It is a handsome officer shako.

[W.Unland]

In looking closely at the eagle it appears that the two pieces comprising the insignia might in fact be solid, i.e.; cast rather than being stamped. If they are indeed solid I would suggest that it is NOT authentic but rather a cast copy.

Regards,
W.Unland

[JoeW]

In looking closely at the eagle it appears that the two pieces comprising the insignia might in fact be solid, i.e.; cast rather than being stamped. If they are indeed solid I would suggest that it is NOT authentic but rather a cast copy.

Regards,
W.Unland

I had not thought of that Bill. The only way is for the owner to determine if the eagle is hollow stamped or solid by testing the back side with some tool. CPmil, can you check the inside front of the shako to determine if the eagle is affixed with bolt and nut or split prongs?

[Dave C.]

Here are pics of 2-piece I've saved photos from the past and for comparison. Unfortunately I forget where they were posted.

[JoeW]

Thanks Dave. I remember the configuration now. I think one of the officer shakos I sold was so configured.

[W.Unland]

Thanks. Never saw that one. Pretty bird. Learned something new.

Bill U

[cpmil]

Police Officers Shako

Just thought that I would take the eagle off and I think that this looks 100 % original. You guys are the experts though so I look forward to your comments. Thanks, Mark.