In January 1864 the government contracted with William C. Dare of Philadelphia for some 1,400 shakos and all were delivered. These hats were based on the pre-1851 Mexican War style Ringgold Pattern shakos. The early US contract examples made by Dare are extraordinarily rare and these, and only these, can be considered Civil War and should not be confused with the post-war 1872 Horstmann contract.

The cap is constructed of a dark blue wool covered pasteboard body with an inset leather crown and leather band around the base. A 1/2-inch tarred leather chinstrap with an adjustment brass buckle is secured at each side by small brass eagle buttons. The 1 3/4-inch-tall leather sweatband is in place inside and is secure as made. The flat, tarred leather unbound visor has the correct slight flare at the sides and is firmly in place it is 3 inches deep. This shako is all original, including the red worsted wool cords and tassels. These are in excellent condition showing no wear or fading. The flaming bomb and plume socket are original and hold the horsehair plume with an original ring to hold the hair together, not allowing it to turn into a jumbled mess. The brass insignia of an eagle over crossed cannons are held firmly in place and have never been off this hat. All the brass furniture on the shako match in pristine patinas. The William C. Dare label is glued center inside on the crown, and the printed paper label shows no loss and reads: "W.C. DARE" over "MANUFACTURER" over " 21 North Second St., Phila." The sizing number is “3” (about a 7 1/4). These were not necessarily considered as full-dress regalia. There are several pictures taken during the war showing these being worn in the field and fortifications.

It would be impossible to improve on this example. This is a beautiful shako.  [pe] [ph:L]

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