VERY FINE CIVIL WAR UNION OFFICER'S KEPI; FIRST MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY

VERY FINE CIVIL WAR UNION OFFICER'S KEPI; FIRST MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY

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$3,250.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1273-88

This rare piece of headgear just came out of a hidden hoard of militaria in Boston. All these hats were collected for decades exclusively within the State of Massachusetts and can safely be considered from Massachusetts regiments. This one was worn by an unknown officer in the hard fighting premier regiment of the state, the 1st Massachusetts Infantry. Formed early in the war and continually active on dozens of battlefields, this regiment has a monument at Gettysburg where one of their officers, perhaps wearing this cap, won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Please click on this link (1st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War).

This is an officer's high-quality private purchase cap. This wool broadcloth was cap once 100% dark blue but over time has oxidized to a dark gray/ butternut/blue color. Its height up the back is 5 1/4 inches, while in front it is 3 1/4 inches high. The inset disc on top is 5 inches in diameter. The body of the cap has no moth nips. The Patent leather bill is 2 inches deep and bound with a bead blackened oil cloth; this peak is 7 inches across and is still pliable.  The original working chin strap has a small, stamped brass buckle and 2 eagle staff officer buttons are firmly in place. On the front of the cap is a 2 inch by 1 1/2-inch black, fading to brown, velvet bullion embroidered badge. Within the gold bullion infantry horn is a brass 3/8-inch false embroidered numeral "1". This insignia shows discoloration and wear that matches the cap and it is likely that there was once a gold bullion wire border around the circumference. The interior is fully lined with black oxidized to brown polished cotton which is 100% intact. The interior top is quilted. The thin maroon/brown leather sweat band is 1 1 /4 inches high with a cord of white thread running its circumference. It is 98% intact and it is hand sewn into place. Our "in-house" restorer found it necessary to clean, "block", and otherwise stabilize the cap due to years of storage, but rest assured all components are original to this piece. This cap has a great look and has great impact.   [pe][ph:L]

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