Busby or Shako of the Oxford University Volunteer Rifle-corps, 1880.

Collection type: Object
Description: Busby or Shako of the Oxford University Volunteer Rifle-corps, 1880.
Geographical reference: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; England Oxfordshire Oxford
Cultural groups: English
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Cecil Vincent Goddard; PRM source Cecil Vincent Goddard
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1880
Date collected: By 1919
Acquisition information: Donated: 1919
Object numbers: Accession number: 1919.22.3
Research and responses: This headgear is defined as 'A tall fur cap, with or without a plume, having a bag (generally of cloth, and of the colour of the facings of the regiment) hanging out of the top, on the right side; worn by hussars, artillerymen, and engineers; hence, one who wears a busby. ' and [Shako] 'A military cap in the shape of a truncated cone, with a peak and either a plume or a ball or ‘pom-pom’. (Not now worn by British soldiers.)' by OED on-line [AP 30/06/2006]
According to http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/ox-Univ.htm the Oxford University Rifle Volunteer Corps formed in 1859 [3 companies], in 1881 it became a battalion of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry ... there is later history also on this site [AP 30/06/2006]

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