CAVALRY TROOPER'S HARDEE HAT

CAVALRY TROOPER'S HARDEE HAT

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$5,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7360

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is perhaps the showiest piece of Civil War headgear out there- the plumed Model 1858 Army Hat, better known by its nicknames as the Hardee or Jeff Davis hat. Derived from the pattern adopted by the new cavalry regiments in 1855, this was adopted by all branches of service in 1858, with the forage cap, essentially the 1851 shako with the stiffening removed, designated for wear on fatigue duty. It got mixed reviews. Some liked it for its resemblance to the Belgian Chasseur-a-pied hat and it also resembled the Kossuth hat, named after the popular Hungarian revolutionary. Others likened it to the plumed hats of 17th century cavaliers, for better or worse. Certainly, there was no denying it grabbed attention.

Constructed of stiffened black felt this shows all the classic elements of the hat and is in excellent condition. The double row of stitching along the edge, used to stiffen and reinforce it, is fully in place. The narrow black ribbon around the base of the crown is in place, and the hat bears an original lemon yellow worsted wool cavalry hat cords. On the inside, the tall, red Morocco sweatband is complete, securely in place, and has nice color and a good finish showing just a few tiny rubs but no tears or missing pieces. In places the sweat band was loose but has been secured back in place by a water-soluble mucilage.   The black stiffener on underside of the top is fully intact and the gilt embossed “US ARMY " (eagle with shield, flag, & arms) "EXTRA / MANUFACTURE" "3” is fully legible, with no chipping or losses. (The “3” is one of the standard army sizes.)

The hat has a set of original issue stamped brass crossed sabers on the front, secured inside by leather wedges inserted in the loops. The right side of the brim is turned up, as is regulation for a cavalry hat, and secured with an original stamped brass eagle side plate. The black ostrich plume is missing but easily replaced. This one rate as excellent and would be hard to equal.   [pe][ph:L]

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