A stamped brass wreath surrounding a silver “US” in Roman letters was the regulation U.S. Army hat insignia for Hospital Stewards during the Civil War and up to 1882, when a caduceus replaced the “U.S.” Hospital stewards served under medical officers and on the regimental level were part of the medical non-commissioned staff, often placed in day-to-day charge of the regimental hospital and fulfilled pharmacist duties for the surgeon and assistant surgeon.

These are tough to date and we are conservatively calling this “Indian War,” but this one strikes us as somewhat early, with hollow stamped letters showing thick and thin contours. The wreath has good color, slightly muted on the top edges. The silver of the U.S. shows appropriate age toning as well. The pins are present on the reverse, but show bends from having been mounted and removed from a piece of headgear at some time.

This would fit very well in an army medical display.  [sr]

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