Officers’ shako plate, 2nd Somerset Militia, 1853-1855.
Gilt metal. Die struck. An eight pointed rayed star the uppermost point of which is displaced by a monarchial crown. Mounted upon the star, a white metal eight-pointed rayed and faceted star, the uppermost point, truncated, upon which is a gilt metal mounted design of the embellished royal cypher ‘VR’ upon a domed burnished ground within a frosted garter, the garter being above a frosted scroll, the whole within a wreath of oakleaves. Reverse bears two horizontally placed loop fittings, one either side of centre and the remains of two wire fittings behind the crown.