Many purport to be one of these rare first model 1859 shakos; few are! This fine condition example was designed for the "Station" or full-dress uniform of an enlisted man.

The shako exhibits the 1859 pattern brass die stamped cap plate insignia measuring 3 5/8 by 3 1/4 inches of the Union shield of Columbia with stars, strips and surrounding decorative floral scrolls. The 1/2-inch-high ornate silvered letter "M" (Marine) is mounted on red wool within a separately affixed brass 2-inch-wide infantry horn; this is all over a 5 1/2-inch-wide stamped brass wreath. All this should not be mistaken for the later more common Model 1861 plate. Also present is a plain domed brass button mounted over a red painted leather scalloped rosette. There is no indication in the interior of any but these devices having been in place. The body of this shako is 6 1/2 inches tall and is made of stiffened felt a Navy Blue color that has now turned brownish black with age. This is surmounted by a 5 1/4-inch diameter Patent leather crown cap and a lower 1 1/4-inch-wide Patent leather base band. The Patent leather functional chin strap has a brass buckle, and it is held in place by two small cuff size early style Marine Corps buttons. Also, there are two horizontally placed half-moon shaped black painted ventilators located on either side at the base of the top crown cap. The leather visor is edge bound and has a patent leather coating; this is 2 inches in depth and it has some minor losses. A red wool pompom is in place.

The shako’s Internal features show an entirely intact sweat band of the "wolf" or "bear claw" type; and it is a thinly glazed coated leather with a scored horizontal multi-line pattern. There is a thin draw string. The manufacturer's label, located on the underside of the top crown, is 60% present and what is left has been shellacked recently to preserve it. It reads in part" BENT & BUSH'S" over MILITARY ESTABLISHMEMT" over "Corner of Court & Washington Sts" over "BOSTON".  From September of 1861 to 1874 it was Bent & Bush who were the principal suppliers of to the Marine Corps of the enlisted men's shakos. This example was an early Civil War delivery whose rarity cannot be overstated.  [pe] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!