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 is worn and in several places is gone. The felt body of the hat is in very good condition with only some light surface wear and dirt. The left side of the brim is turned up and held in place by a stamped brass plate bearing a spread-winged eagle over a sunburst and stars. This plate is affixed to the hat by two loops on the back. The brim edge has one minor split and two small chips. The first chip is at right front and meas. approx. 0.75 x 0.25 inch. The second is at left rear and meas. approx. 0.25 x 0.50 an inch. The front of the hat is adorned with a standard issue stamped brass infantry hunting horn insignia with a white metal number “2” at center with a standard issue stamped brass company letter “F” above it.  Around the base of the crown is a wool sky-blue hat cord with acorns and tassels. The ribbed black band that should surround the base of the crown is gone.

The interior has no sweatband. In the crown is a complete label stamped with an eagle and “U.S. ARMY.” However the printing on the label is faint and one side is slightly curled.

This is a fair example of the Model 1858 dress hat.  [ad]

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