Although very few illustrations or images exsit that show drummers of this period, 1800-1815 wearing the Bearskin. The four images to the left show what I believe would have been the pairing of the head wear.

The first Shako, the Stovepipe Shako was worn up until and after the coming of the British Waterloo Pattern "Belgic" Shako 1812 - 1820. This shako was worn as the general everyday hat that the majority of soldiers would have worn.

The Bearskin below it is similar to the Bearskin worn in the Americas this Hat would have been worn by the Drummers and possibly any Fifers of the Regiment both would have been worn either in conjuction with each other or with the bearskin in replacement of the Stovepipe Shako.

The British Waterloo Pattern "Belgic" Shako shown left came into service from 1812, and at around this time there was also a change in the bearskin, it had a change in shape and a change to a brass plate rather than the black and silver.This cap retains its distinctive red top which was later removed when the bearskin under went its change to a style we are more familar with today, the shape of todays Guards Regiments bearskin.

The documentry evidence from the The Royal Clothing Warrant 1768 and the 1802 Clothing Regulations, state that the bearskin was approved by use of all Drummers, now whether or not the bearskin was used on the field or in battle situations is still under contention but we could ashume they did, one example, the painting by Lady Butler of the 57th ''The drums of the 57th Regiment at Albuera'' seems to be accurate in its portrayal of the drummers as we are not only seeing the wearing of the bearskin in battle but the painting also shows a drummer in a shako as well, we also have other images such as the ones of the 1st, 28th, and the 66th.