US 1889 PATTERN CAMPAIGN HAT WITH 1ST WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER INFANTRY INSIGNIA, CO. M – PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION ERA

US 1889 PATTERN CAMPAIGN HAT WITH 1ST WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER INFANTRY INSIGNIA, CO. M – PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION ERA

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$1,250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1202-2536

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

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

This is a U.S. Army campaign hat in drab fur felt from the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection period. It has a wide brim with several rows of stitching at the edge, a creased crown, and its original grosgrain hatband. The ribbon tails of the band hang at the front.

Mounted on the front of the crown is a brass infantry insignia: crossed rifles with a regimental “1” above, a company “M” in the center, and “WASH” on a bar below. Together they identify the 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry, Company M. The insignia is fastened with a screw-back post and brass nut through the crown. The felt is crushed flat where the nut has pressed against it, which shows the insignia has been mounted on this hat for a very long time and is not a recent addition.

The 1st Washington was raised in the spring of 1898 for the war with Spain and sailed to Manila later that year. When fighting broke out between American and Filipino forces in February 1899, the regiment went straight into combat. Through that spring it fought along the Pasig River and around Laguna de Bay. The Washington volunteers were among the state regiments that held the line in the opening months of the Philippine Insurrection, until Regular Army reinforcements arrived. The regiment came home and mustered out in the fall of 1899.

Inside, the crown is unlined, as these hats were made. The original brown leather sweatband is still in place, with a perforated edge and the small ribbon bow at the back. It is sweat-stained and darkened from long wear. The leather is cracked and has split in a few places, but is mainly complete. It remains strongly adhered to the hat itself. It is complete with its original size 7 measurement tag.

On the outside, the felt is solid and holds its shape, with even light soiling and some scattered spotting on the brim. The hatband is complete. Its ribbon tails are frayed at the ends. The brass insignia has a dark, untouched patina with slight verdigris on the rifles.

Campaign hats from this period with original state volunteer insignia are hard to find. Most surviving examples have lost their insignia, or the insignia was added later. This piece would make a fine addition to any collection of Philippine Insurrection memorabilia.   [gh] [ph:L]

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