I may add with the 44th as well is that when we were formed we covered the period 1803-1812. It was only a year or two ago, in the run up to Waterloo we had to change our white trousers to grey and get Belgic Shakos (we are also using the pre-1812 tunics, the 44ths buttons were different on the later ones and, whilst it may not be noticeable, the back of the later tunics were slightly shorter). It would cost quite a bit for the officers in our group to get new tunics so many kept wearing their old ones. Initially the same for the drummers as, before 1812, drummers (apart from the Royal Regiments and the Guards) wore reversed colours, after 1812 they were in red but still had the lace. Most of our drummers seem to have switched now to the post 1812 uniforms. Sadly, finance is always at odds with accuracy.
Most Officers from the post 1812 groups I see are wearing the shako (you can see two in the picture). Senior officers still wore them and even some junior officers at Waterloo but they were rarer, more for generals, staff officers and support units.
