US1013.)CIRCA 1890 STATE OF MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD SHAKO: pre-1900 dress shako of the Maryland National Guard, 7th Artillery Regiment. Black wool hard body adorned with black leather trim and crown, soft and supple. At front is massive gold finished cockade showing wreath and 'flaming bomb' ordnance symbol. Has red woolen felt behind the number '7'. Latin motto 'Pro Patria Et Gloria' (For Country and Glory). This imposing and handsome cockade is original to this shako. Black patent leather visor and white wool decorative cord. At sides are gold finished metal buttons with crossed artillery cannons. With white woolen plume at front of crown. Inside has black oilcloth liner in a great state of preservation and very old paper maker's label inside the crown 'Ridabock & Co., -- Manufacturers and Dealers -- Uniforms and Equipment, New York'. Shows mild wear and age for its 130 years, no mothing at all to the woolen felt components. Good looking piece of headgear! Note that included is a prior militaria auction house sale on a similar Maryland shako with a selling price of $1,524.00! EXC++++