CONFEDERATE SURGEON'S KEPI FOUND IN SOUTH CAROLINA

$12,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1130-09

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
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This cap was discovered in a Civil War period home in Charleston SC near "The Battery" neighborhood not many years ago. When found the cap needed a few minor repairs but it otherwise remains untouched as found and in marvelous condition!

The body of the cap is made of black wool broadcloth, and the band is of the same material. The front of the cap rises 3" and the back seam extends for 5 1/2" to the crown. The crown is 5 1/4" in diameter. The kepi band is 1 1/2" high in both the front and the back. There is no visible damage from wear or insects. The kepi features 1/8" wide flat metallic braided trim all hand tacked. There is a ribbon of braid forming a quatrefoil at the crown with a single ribbon of braid surrounding the quatrefoil. The kepi band is surrounded by of metallic braid and the front, back and sides. 4 ribbons of metallic braid extend to the crown. The braiding indicates the rank of Lieutenant. A 1/2 inch working chinstrap with a small brass is held in place by 2 South Carolina buttons with plain backs. These certainly appear to be unmolested with and original to this cap.

The interior of the kepi is lined with Silesia which is dark brown in color and possibly black originally. The lining gathers at the top as is typical for the period and within the lining to maintain the caps shape is raw cotton a feature usually only seen on Southern made caps. The stiffener in the crown is paste board which at one time was also covered in Silesia but this has deteriorated exposing a Japanned crown or disc covered by newsprint which is greatly stained and brittle. Amazingly the script on the newsprint, by chance, reveals the possible origin of the cap maker New Orleans! The thin visor is black patent leather on top and appears to be a tarred or black painted parchment on the bottom. It was hand stitched around the edge and may have been covered with cloth at one time. The visor is constructed in two pieces top and bottom. The visor is 1 1/2" deep and 6 1/2" across. The leather 1 1/2" sweat band is perfect and firmly in place with about 60% of its original whipped stitched thread intact. In spots in the front where the stitching deteriorated there is evidence the sweatband has been re-enforced with fabric cement. Between the sweatband and visor there is a cord of what looks like wool or hemp hiding the junction.

All Confederate kepis are scarce and desirable but a kepi for a lieutenant in Confederate medical service is truly a rarity and seldom seen on the collector's market. [pe] [ph:L]

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