This is a very good example of the Civil War Union army regulation Model 1858 forage cap, probably the most recognizable of all Civil War headgear. Descended from the army’s 1851 shako, these were authorized for fatigue wear in 1858 and remained regulation until the shorter, nattier 1872 version came out. This follows the standard Civil War configuration with a blue wool body, fitted with a tarred leather visor and flat circular top stiffened by piece of thick cardboard, and provided with a leather chinstrap held by two small general service eagle buttons on the sides. The interior is lined with polished cotton and fitted with a sweatband.

The condition is very good, with minimal fading, just some dust, a few spots of rubbing to the cloth at the edge of top and some scattered small moth nips. There is one slightly larger bite, about ½ inch or less, near the back seam toward the bottom, that has been backed and is not obtrusive. One or two stitches around the reeded edge of the top on back have pulled slightly, but are stable, the seam is not open, and are merely from wear and natural stress of putting the cap on and off. The visor is securely attached and shows only natural crazing to the finish from age a little flaking to the at the wearer’s right edge. The chinstrap is a replacement added by a collector for display. Contractors usually applied a paper label giving their name and the cap size to underside of the top, but as is usually the case with any cap actually worn, this is long gone.

This is very good example of the regulation cap issued to all branches of service in the army. It displays very well and is a key and impressive part of any Civil War collection.  [sr] [ph:m]

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