This piece of Civil War headgear is an Infantry Model 1860 leather shako of the French-pattern and was used by Union troops early in the war.  This shako was part of 10,000 sets of chasseur uniforms purchased from the Godillot firm in Paris and imported for the US market. According to “U.S. ARMY HEADGEAR 1812-1872” by Langellier & Loane, they were issued without the front plates to the 18^th Massachusetts and the 62^nd and 83^rd Pennsylvania and with the plates to New York’s Excelsior Brigade.

The shako is constructed of heavy black leather and measures approx. 6” high with a straight vertical crown which features a slightly curved, stamped brass gilt plate pinned to the front. The plate features a spread-winged eagle atop a laurel wreath that surrounds 1 3/8” diameter disc with the infantry symbol of a hunting horn embossed upon it. The black paint surrounding the hunting horn has chipped off leaving about 10% of it behind. On the eagle’s chest is an enameled red, white and blue shield. Most of the red in the stripes is present as well as a very small amount of the blue. The white of the stars is gone.  At top, near the crown is a 2.00 inch diameter circular metal cockade decorated with a red center and concentric rings of white and dark blue paint. This has chipped some but 95% of the paint remains.   Extending from the top front of the shako is a bluish-green and beige colored pompom.  The shako also has vent holes on either side of the top.  The exterior leather is in good condition and exhibits only slight surface wear.  All stitching is still tight and strong. The leather visor has a finished edge with a green underside that shows light wear.

The interior features a 2¾” wide, black leather sweatband in very good condition with some minor surface scuffing.  Still present in the crown is a leather strap with two brass buckles for attaching a chinstrap.

This Civil War shako is a great example of early war cap and makes an ideal focus for any military headgear collection or display.  [ad] [ph:L]

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