CLASSIC IDENTIFIED MCDOWELL FORAGE CAP WORN BY A 4th PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRYMAN

CLASSIC IDENTIFIED MCDOWELL FORAGE CAP WORN BY A 4th PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRYMAN

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$5,850.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1284-58

The “McDowell” cap was popularized early in the war by General Irwin McDowell (1818-1835). The style is characterized by a tall body made without a band around the base, flat top with rib around the edge, and a downturned, crescent visor. These were commercially available for enlisted personnel and officers with a certain amount of latitude for style within the 1858 general regulations. They typically show, when worn by enlisted men, a higher quality construction than the caps issued by the army.

This cap, extremely well made for field service, is constructed of dark blue broadcloth and rises 5 inches in the front and 7 1/2 inches in back. It has tight seams throughout. The crown which has a 5 3/4-inch diameter on its top exhibits a brass 5/8 inch "4" over 3 1/2 inch by 2-inch stamped brass "cavalry sabers" over a 3/8+-inch company serifed letter "H"; they are held by loops or pins and have never been off this cap. There is a 1/2-inch-wide Patent leather functional chinstrap with brass buckle and single loop keeper. The small eagle side buttons are sewn in place with their original thread. The "McDowell" visor of Patent leather has a heavy coat of original extra waterproofing of tarred varnish on both top and bottom. The leather sweatband is firmly in place 100% intact and has a top stitching around its circumference. There is a dark brown polished cotton lining, now turned a shade lighter with age, securely in place inside and 99% intact. The interior top of the crown is heavily tarred to waterproof it. The condition and color are near perfect and if there is any insect damage it is negligible. There are a couple of minor stains and in front just below the crown, and hard to detect, is a very old, possibly period, repair that is about 1 inch in length and 1/4 inch wide. On the interior lining in faded ink and in 3 places is: "J. L." (left side) and at the rear of the cap: "J. LYONS" and "J. L." followed by "QM" (the Q is upside down). The QM was certainly proudly put in the cap at the time of his re-enlistment but does not mean that the hat dates from 1864 because the style is absolutely earlier.

THE MAN: Jacob Lyons a cooper by trade was from Franklin in Venango County Pennsylvania (b.1828-d.1909). He had served in the Mexican War from 1847 to 1848 with the 11th US Volunteers. Six months after the Civil War began, he enlisted in the 4th Pennsylvania cavalry. This was October 15th, 1861, for 3 years or the war. He rose from the rank of corporal to sergeant within this time frame. His history is that of his glorious regiments (4th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment). Upon the expiration of 3 years, he re-enlisted January 1863 as a veteran volunteer again in the 4th Pennsylvania cavalry this time with the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. He took an honorable discharge July 12, 1865. His obituary reads in part: "He lived here almost all his life. He enlisted in Company H, 11th Regiment, US Volunteers, at the beginning of the Mexican War, then served throughout the entire Civil War as a member of Company H, 4th PA Calvary. He was quartermaster sergeant of the command. He was probably the last survivor of the Mexican War in Venango County". After the war he was a member of Major W. B. Mays' Post No. 220 of the Grand Army of the Republic and according to the descendants of the deceased collector who owned this cap for over a half a century this cap was once on display in this GAR hall’s library.

This is a striking early war McDowell forage cap; it could have been at a host of campaigns and battles that included, to name but a few: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and Appomattox. One of the best!  [pe][ph:L]

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