These epaulettes are the 1846 pattern worn by Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860), 10th Earl of Dundonald. They feature a crown worked in velvet, metal and silk thread above a crossed sword and baton in base metal over three stars that have been worked in silver thread, purl and spangles. The crescent is a wood core with gold braid and purl twisted around it to create the alternating dull and bright pattern. The underside features a rigid bonnet covered with blue velvet, the strap is lined with leather and has a gilt stamp to indicate which is to be worn on the left and right shoulders.

Cochrane was an eccentric and colourful naval and political figure who, following his victories in the Napoleonic Wars, was disgraced in a fraud scandal and left Britain to commanded fleets in South America and Greece. In 1832, Cochrane was restored to the Royal Navy and occupied himself with scientific and technical developments such as steam power and chemical weapons.

These epaulettes were originally purchased by Cochrane in 1848 when he was given his final appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the West Indies. They were altered with the addition of the third star when he was promoted to Admiral in 1851.