SPECTACULAR IDENTIFIED CAVALRY OFFICER'S SLOUCH HAT – GEORGE W. STARR, 3RD WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY

SPECTACULAR IDENTIFIED CAVALRY OFFICER'S SLOUCH HAT – GEORGE W. STARR, 3RD WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY

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$6,250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1284-45

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

This is pattern 1858 Union officer slouch hat which was also known as a Burnside Hat and is certainly among the rarest forms of Civil War Union Officer’s Headgear!  This 100% original and unaltered hat was worn by 1st Lieutenant George W. Starr of the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry from October of 1864 until he was mustered out in July of 1865. Please click on this link for information on the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry (https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/west-virginia/3rd-west-virginia-cavalry/ ).

The black slouch hat is made of a quality felt. The crown rises to 4 inches. Around the base of the crown is a black silk blended grosgrain which is 1 inch high. On the front of the hat is a black felt patch which is stiffened on its interior by tin; this is 3 1/4 inches by 2 inches. Embroidered in gold metallic thread on this are crossed cavalry sabers. These are surmounted by an embroidered metallic 1/2 inch tall "3". The badge has a gold metallic roping around it. Below the badge are perfect gold and black officer's cords with perfect acorns. Resting on the right front of the cords is a black leather cockade surmounted by an officer's eagle "C" button. The brim of the hat is 3 inches deep. It is bound by 1/4-inch black grosgrain which is 94% intact. The right side of the hat is rakishly turned up and held firm by a 1st class metallic embroidered Hardee hat badge 3 inches by 2 1/4 inches. This is on a black velvet backing displays the eagle with up raised wings, 13 stars, arrows, laurel and clouds; this badge is mint condition. The greater portion of a black ostrich feather is extant under this folded up side.  On the interior the 2-inch-high black sweat band is perfect, and hand whip stitched into place by scores of threads. Neatly scratched into this on the right side is "G.W. STARR". On the interior just above the badge is a patch repair that was done by our inhouse restorer to close a U-shaped jagged tear created by the constant grabbing in this spot by the officer during the war; this is typically seen and even if left unclosed it would not have affected the appearance of this hat.  Lugs from the front badge and the side Hardee badge protrude to the inside and are held firm by their original leather strips.

GEORGE W. STARR enlisted in Co E 3rd West Virginia Cavalry taking the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant; he was 22 years old. In May of 1864 he was the Regimental Sergeant Major. In October of 1864 he was promoted to a 1st Lieutenant in Company E 3rd West Virginia Cavalry. In this capacity he was involved in 21 cavalry actions; these included the battle of Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Appomattox Station and Courthouse (Lee's Surrender). When you look at this slouch hat it clearly shows those 7 months of service in the saddle. Absolutely museum quality.   [pe][ph:L]

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