A WONDERFUL CONFEDERATE ENLISTEDMAN'S ARTILLERY KEPI

A WONDERFUL CONFEDERATE ENLISTEDMAN'S ARTILLERY KEPI

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$12,500.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-551

This has to be one of the finest unmolested examples extant!  The cap's crown and baseband are made from a heavy wool felt which was dyed red using a madder base and then top-dyed with cochineal giving a rich color even after 160 plus years. The kepi has a height in front of 3 1/4 inches rising to 5 inches at the top rear. The top round inset, or "cookie" is similarly covered in red felt measures 4 1/2 inches in diameter and is firmly affixed to a thick stiffened piece of cardboard. Dotting the cap are a number of small insect losses but all are negligible. It is possible that there was insignia like crossed cannons on the front, if so, they are long gone. The peak or bill of the kepi is made from stiffened cardboard covered with canvas that was blackened and then varnished. It has a hand sewn binding of the same "Japanned" material extending along its entire perimeter. The peak is 7 inches across and has a depth of 2 1/2 inches. Other than age crazing and minor wear this peak is perfect.

The functional chinstrap is made of canvas it is blackened and 100% intact. It is held in place by 2 small brass decorative buttons with a rich mellow patina; these buttons have not been resewn. The interior of this kepi is lined in a heavy linen which shows stains but is otherwise perfect. The sweat band, made of a blackened and varnished canvas is 95% intact. It is 1 1/2 inches high and has a machine sewn folded over finished edge at the top. There are a couple of minor tears on the sweat band. From genuine service 25% of the blackening on the exterior of the sweat band is worn off. The sweat band is whipstitched into place with a neutral color unmercerized cotton thread and all several dozens of these stitches are the originals. Between the bill/peak and the sweat band is a folded "lip" of red felt covering that junction; a feature one hopes to see on well-made caps of this era. The size is about 7 1/4.

This classic example was once among the treasures of Mr. Ray Richey's Texas Civil War Museum, and it would be almost impossible to find a more perfect example. It was a museum piece and will always be one!  [pe][ph:L]

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