This great looking piece of headgear was recently discovered in the Boston area. It started life as an infantry Model 1858 enlisted man's Hardee hat that was issued to a soldier in the 15th Infantry (15th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War) but was transformed into a slouch hat, a little-known practice today that occurred routinely during the Civil War and earlier. This hat was certainly worn by a senior NCO because although it is at first whiff looks like an enlisted man's hat upon examination one finds a fine bullion embroidered officer's Hardee type hat badge holding up the right side; this badge has always been on this hat.

The hat has a couple of minor wear holes in it and has one little nip off the left brim but is otherwise in fine condition, although stiff from great age. Around the 2 3/4 wide brim is a single row of hand stitching. The crown rises to 5 1/2 inches and has mounted on the front a brass company letter "B" which is 1-inch-high surmounting a regulation US enlisted man's infantry bugle that is 3 inches across and within it hold a custom carved set of marine ivory numerals "15". Surrounding the crown are regulation dark blue infantry cords; these are 85% intact. The left side is stylishly held up by a metallic embroidered eagle badge on black, now turned brown, velvet. This measures 3 inches by 2 1/4 inches. On the interior is a 2 1/8-inch leather sweat band that is 99% intact. It shows age staining and is a bit stiff. This was loose in places when found but has been secured by both thread and water-soluble glue by a professional restorer. A couple of minor tears were also made secure.

This hat, worn perhaps by a color bearer, a sergeant-major or a 1st sergeant, has a great look. And it was worn by a soldier in a hard fighting regiment.   [pe][ph:L]

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