This is an excellent example of a post-1902 Lanarkshire Yeomanry Officer's cap. This cap is similar to the 9th Lancers with the skull, front peak and mortar board top of black patent leather. The sides of the mortar board top are black ribbed melton cloth with gilt flower ornaments on the corners, smooth gilt metal on the curved corners and a gilt metal plume boss resembling a coiled cord supports a peacock green plume with a ring. The waist has a guilt metal band similar in appearance to a semi-circular rope with each two sections bound together by a double rope. The rayed plate has a silver King's crown over an oval marked "LANARKSHIRE YEOMANRY" with the double-headed eagle in the center and a thistle wreath surrounding the oval with a single battle honor of "SOUTH AFRICA 1900-02" in silver at the bottom. Two lion's head ear bosses suspend a velvet backed chin chain. The front peak is lined in green skived leather. There is a natural skived leather sweat band and a crimson silk lining with a "SANDILANDS & SON" maker's mark. "Head Dress of the British Lancers 1816-to the Present" by David JJ Rowe and William Y. Carman states that "With regard to the gilt metal 'double-headed' eagle, and title scroll as mentioned above, there is known to exist an example of an officer pattern cap bearing a plate having both the 'double-headed' eagle and the title scroll 'South Africa 1900-02' in silvered metal, as opposed to being in the gilt metal as mentioned above." This could be that example!

Excellent, the patent leather shows some dents and wrinkles. The gilt components have a generally bright appearance with some light verdigris overall. The leather sweat band has some staining and a few chin chain rings are bent at the end. This is an excellent example of a rare officer's lance cap.