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Civil War Enlisted Blue Wool Forage Cap, 

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Civil War Enlisted Blue Wool Forage Cap, 

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a regulation M1858 kepi identical to the example shown in Howell’s United States Army Headgear 1855-1902, p.18. This example made of fine quality blue wool with complete interior lined in brown glazed cotton and thin leather sweat band 1 5/8” wide. Behind the sweatband on either side are two white paper circles about 1" in diameter, the left inked H/1112 and the right 7095, of unknown meaning. The thin tarred leather visor is slightly rounded at the corners and measures 1.5" wide in the middle. The stiffened crown is slightly over 5.75" in diameter measuring 4" tall in front and 6" in the back, with the stitching tapering to a “V” point exactly 1" from the bottom. The base of the body is stiffened with buckram. The cap has the correct 0.5" thin leather chin strap complete with brass slide and 2 small eagle "I" buttons. There is no maker’s label while the crown and front show no evidence of ever having been pierced for brass insignia suggesting that the cap was never issued.

While millions of forage caps were produced during the Civil War, it was not until the publication of the 1865 Army Regulations that precise specifications were detailed by the Quartermaster.

 

Condition: The blue wool body is perfect without any moth damage, tears, or holes. The interior glazed lining is complete but coming loose around the back along with about a 1.5” section of the sweatband (both easily repaired). The stitching is also loose in the lower back where the two sides of the body join. The right side of the cap shows three areas of what appears to be glue or adhesive residue. Uncertain if wool will clean but doesn’t really detract. The leather visor and sweatband are undamaged showing typical surface crazing. Overall, the forage cap is VG+, displaying well as is.