This is an excellent example of the regulation hat insignia for a U.S. Navy lieutenant in the Civil War. This measures about 3 ¼ inches long and 2 inches high, and consists of an embroidered gold bullion wreath, showing leaves and acorns, around a silver embroidered fouled anchor. Both bullion and background fabric are excellent. The paper backing is in place as well and shows small stitching holes around the edge, indicating it was once on a hat. The edge is a little uneven, likely from the family removing it from the uniform.

This was the regulation hat insignia for a navy lieutenant up to 1862, when in theory the position of the anchor changed from the purely horizontal to a slight angle, which in turn was used until 1864 when the anchor was reduced in size and switched to a vertical position and used more generally for officers ranking Ensign through Captain (and changed again in 1869.) Of course, there was certainly some lag time in adopting and distributing the newer forms, especially given the time a ship’s crew might be away from any point of supply or officer so concerned as to make an issue of it.

The Navy sometimes gets shortchanged by collectors, but formed a key component of the US forces during the Civil War in direct combat and in the important role of interdicting trade with the blockade along the coast- Scott’s Anaconda Plan- and interrupting internal trade, communications, supplies, and troop movements by controlling inland waterways, as well as projecting force and supporting land expeditions.

This is an excellent example of a regulation Civil War insignia and one that is much scarcer than most army insignia. It would be a very good addition to a Navy or Civil War uniform collection.   [sr] [ph:L]

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