A RARE FIRST MODEL US MARINE CORPS SHAKO IN ATTIC CONDITION

A RARE FIRST MODEL US MARINE CORPS SHAKO IN ATTIC CONDITION

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$6,450.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1284-57

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is the second of these rare hats we have had the privilege to offer. Both shakos came from the collection of an advanced collector who is recently deceased. This one, but for a minor repaired crack on the leather crown, is in excellent unmolested, as found, condition. Please be aware that many purport to be one of these rare first model 1859 shakos; few are! This fine condition example was designed for the "station" or the full-dress uniform of an enlisted man.

The shako bears, in nice patina, the 1859 pattern brass die stamped cap plate insignia measuring 3 5/8 by 3 1/4 inches. It consists of the Union shield of Columbia with stars, strips and surrounding decorative floral scrolls. The 1/2-inch-high ornate silvered letter "M" (Marine) is mounted on red painted leather within a separately affixed brass 2-inch-wide infantry horn; this is all over a 5 1/2-inch-wide stamped brass wreath. This insignia should not be mistaken for the later more common Model 1861 plate. Also, present is a plain domed brass button mounted over a red painted leather scalloped rosette. There is no indication in the interior of any but these devices having been in place. The body of this shako is 6 1/2 inches tall and is made of stiffened felt a Navy Blue color that has now turned brownish black with age. This is surmounted by a 5 1/4-inch diameter Patent leather crown cap and a lower 1 1/4-inch-wide Patent leather base band. The Patent leather functional chin strap has a brass buckle, and it is held in place by two small cuff size early "SCOVILL" (RMDC) rare Marine Corps buttons. There are two horizontally placed half-moon shaped black painted ventilators located on either side at the base of the top crown cap. The leather visor is edge bound and has a patent leather coating; this is 2 inches in depth, and it has some minor losses and some separation from the felt body due to minor thread loss. The original small red wool pompom is in place.

The shako’s Internal features show an entirely intact sweat band of the "wolf" or "bear claw" type; and it is a thinly glazed coated leather. There is a thin draw string. The manufacturer's label, located on the underside of the top crown, is 99% present and it reads: "BENT & BUSH" over " IMPORTERS & MANUFACTURES OF" over "HATS, CAPS & FURS" over "MILITARY CAPS" over "SWORDS, EPAULETTES & C-" over "CORNER Of COURT & WASHINGTON STS" over "BOSTON".  From September of 1861 to 1874 it was Bent & Bush who were the principal suppliers of to the Marine Corps of the enlisted men's shakos. This example was an early Civil War delivery whose rarity cannot be overstated.  [pe] [ph:L]

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