Black felt hat with turned up brim known as the “HARDEE” or “JEFF DAVIS” hat. However, the correct term for it is the Model 1858 dress hat. This hat was worn mostly for dress by Union enlisted men but many found their way into the field in a variety of shapes and with many insignia configurations.

This example has a blocked top and a brim that has two rows of stitching close to the edge. The stitching shows some light wear but is otherwise solid. The felt body of the hat is in poor condition with some light surface dirt and very heavy wear. The crown has several tears. The first starts at the front 3.50 inches from the base and runs horizontally around the left side for 7.00 inches ending with a slightly upward curve. The second slit is at top of the crown and runs from back to front for about 1.75 inches. There are also three smaller holes scattered around the sides of the crown as well as several small tears on the brim edge. The right side of the brim is turned up but is not anchored or stitched in any way. The base of the crown has the black ribbed hatband, the red artillery hat cord and a black ostrich plume. All three are dirty and worn. The front of the hat is adorned with a standard issue stamped brass artillery insignia with a brass number “3” above with a standard issue stamped brass company letter “D” below. Number and letter are firmly affixed while the crossed cannons have come loose.

The interior has no sweatband and only the unreadable remains of the label.

The second item in the group is a commercially manufactured enlisted man’s kepi that has a very dark blue, almost black color. The body is in excellent shape with a moth bite that meas. approx. 0.75 of an inch long x 0.25 of an inch wide. There are also a number of scattered small fade or dirt spots around the edge of the disc. The thin black leather chinstrap is attached to the cap by two General Service Eagle buttons. These buttons are attached with split-pins. Chinstrap is solid and complete keeper and brass slider. Bound edged leather visor wiggles but is still attached to the cap. The leather surface has light surface dirt and moderate crazing. Center of disc at top has standard issue stamped brass insignia of crossed cannons, the number “3” and the letter “D.”

The interior of the cap has 95% of the ox-blood colored sweatband. Band meas. approx. 1.50 inches high. It has a small piece missing at back and is loose three-quarters of the way around. The interior of the body was lined with black polished cotton that is mostly gone. Under this lining was a layer of raw wool which is mostly gone though some remains up the back seam and around the crown. The base of the crown is complete with wool padding and black cotton lining that has been quilted. There is no label.

It is rare to find a dress and field cap ID’d to the same unit.     [ad]

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

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

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!