U.S. STAFF OFFICER’S CAP INSIGNIA

U.S. STAFF OFFICER’S CAP INSIGNIA

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$275.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1299-31

An excellent example of a small size, embroidered bullion round US staff wreath often seen in Civil War photos worn on the front of officers’ kepis and forage caps. An Old English “U.S.” in silver surrounded by a laurel wreath in gold was made regulation in 1839 both for generals and for officers of the general staff, and regarded as part of the undress uniform until 1851, after which it was regulation for both dress and undress headgear. With the change from the shako to the dress hat and forage cap of 1858, this changed slightly from use of a dark blue ground to a black one, as shown here. The term “staff” often brings up the picture of a non-combat officer stuck at a desk. During the Civil War, however, the term and the insignia applied also to officers serving on regimental, brigade, division and corps staffs in field, serving under fire on the front lines as adjutants, aides-de-camp and in other capacities. It is not uncommon also to find some regimental surgeons wearing this insignia instead of the regulation “MS” in a wreath as members of the “medical staff.”

This has a mellow patina to the gold and silver bullion embroidery, but with all the bullion coils and thread in place, the wreath showing the use of slightly thicker, twisted coils to convey the veins in the leaves of the wreath. This was clearly on a cap at some point. The edge shows some wear and some loose threads from having been removed from the cap or from the loss of a jaceron wire border, the web underlay is exposed on the back, but the black color of the ground remains good and we rather like that it clearly saw some use and field service. We should also note that it could have been used on a larger hat as well, if the officer chose not to attract too much attention from the enemy on the battlefield while carrying vital orders.  [sr][ph:m/L]

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