New England Stove Pipe Style Militia Shako- Identified

New England Stove Pipe Style Militia Shako- Identified. This shako circa 1839-45 (with some usage by smaller independent units), is the typical pattern some refer to as the “stove pipe” shako. The black leather body comes together at the front, with the seam hidden by the sunburst plate and the leather cockade. Height of the shako is 8 inches, and re-enforced at the base with another section of black leather, used to strengthen the base, and hold the sweatband in place. The crown is protected and nicely finished with a molded band of brass, pinned to the crown by the use of three brass staples.

The shako is finished with a stamped brass sunburst plate with an applied 1/2 moon base at center just above the squared brass visor with raised rim, and at times used to have unit letters (example “PG” for Prescott Guards), or some other embellishment.  The leather cockade at the top is a molded leather peace approximately 1 1/2 inches diameter with a small eagle button at center. A gilt cording is attached beneath the cockade and swings around the back, and joined with a small brass cockade mounted on the lower right side.  This smaller cockade eagle was a pattern used on American coinage beginning in 1795, and popular during the War of 1812.  The Regular Army continued to use this cockade after the 1821 period, and longer by militia. Military outfitters would have a stocked supply of older pattern insignia like this eagle, that militia units could choose from to design their own headgear.  (see American Military Insignia 1800-1851 by Campbell & Howell, Smithsonian Institution, 1930, page 10, fig 5.).

The sweatband is complete, and the pull string for sizing is still present. The interior is lined with a blue cotton material, with the leather socket sewn to the upper front for holding the plume.  Thin wire is used to hold the cockade tight.  The maker’s label is still glued to the crown, for “MICHAEL RILEY, JR, ENGINE HOSE MANUFACTURERS, 68-79 CORNHILL, BOSTON.”  There is more on the label listing other goods which are highlighted by the engraved figure on the label. The narrow paper label was placed in the shako by the maker, with AMOS SHUMWAY’S name, and his hat size being 22 2/8.

The body is in fine condition, with traces of old paper stuck to the leather in places, that could be removed.  Light wear to leather at edges, and slight warping on the crown; this one of the best conditioned one of these I’ve had over the years.

Now to Amos Shumway. I believe I have found the owner of this shako. Researching the past few days, leads me to strongly feel I have the right man. Amos Shumway, III was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, on June 23, 1805, and died April 3, 1855. Other Amos Shumways’ from earlier periods from Oxford, or Medway, Mass, either make them to early or late for militia service in this period. Ames the III would have been 44 years old at the time this shako could have been worn, it being the earliest date it could have been made by Michael Riley of Boston.

As for the shako, I have to assume one point, that being what the town militia company was wearing (at least by 1839) from 1839 to 1855 (Amos’ death year).  Taken from the Oxford Town History, “the Independent company named from the “old days” disbanded in 1824 and another company was renamed Oxford Invincibles  (later changed) to Oxford Light Infantry, there being 24 members in 1824. Uniforms adopted were dark blue coats, leather cartridge boxes with white belts and cross straps, black leather caps {high}, black ostrich plumes, and white pantaloons..The last muster was in 1837 at Dudley, Mass., and the company was disbanded and members were enrolled into the State militia as part of the 5th Regiment at one time, then transferred to the 4th Regiment.”  By the late 1830s the Oxford Light Infantry had grown in number,  (at brigade muster in 1828 shows 162 men in one company from Oxford and a second company at that that time numbering 39 members, the number included officers, enlisted and the band.   and at some point there may have been changes to the uniform. The style of uniforms, even in small town companies, updated their look. When their first caps were adopted in 1824, much of the uniforms and headgear in New England was a cross between the War of 1812 style, and a new style that began to take hold in the early 30s. By the mid 1835s, with a company(s) that was growing in number, there may have been a change in at least the headgear, if not some or all of the uniform, etc. (Knowing there were two companies in Oxford in 1828, which one included Shumway? It would be a great thing to know if the town journals, ledgers, etc, existed to know exactly what the militia in Oxford consisted of, and who were members of those companies.)

At the very least, this shako has condition, and some nice features, along with an ID, and maker’s label, that will bear out what I propose as the provenance, or lead to a different one, just as equally fine, based on all that has been  here.discussed here.  The image and family info sheet are from eBay, items sold this October, 2025.

The shako can stand alone on the value I have placed on it.