In the summer of 1861 the U.S. government ordered 10,000 complete army uniforms from the French firm of Godillot. These were the French army chasseur, or light infantry, pattern, complete with dress and fatigue uniforms and gear. The purchase was intended to ease supply problems and also test their usefulness for US troops. These were shipped in November 1861 and were awarded to regiments in the Army of the Potomac on the basis of drill competitions. They did not go as far as hoped: many were too small, but regiments known to have received them included the 18^th MA, 62^nd and 83^rd PA.

The dress uniform included these Model 1860 French infantry shakos fitted with front plates featuring an American eagle perched over an infantry hunting horn, surmounted by a separate red, white and blue rosette. The shako is black leather, with external bands applied at the base, around the crown, and in two V-shapes at either side with a ventilation hole between. The bound visor has a green underside with an impressed “B.F.” probably the individual French maker- other examples show a variety of markings. The body of the hat is very good, with nice finish. The visor is firmly attached. The tall sweatband and chinstrap are present inside hat, though both show wear: the sweatband shows loss of finish, separation along most of the folded bottom edge, and parting of the rear seam, as is pretty common in these shakos. The chinstrap still has the buckle, but is broken.

Period photos show U.S. troops wearing these uniforms, including the shako and the shako plates have been excavated in wartime camps. Even after those troops shifted back to more conventional US uniforms and gear, however, the shakos saw use, being reissued to bandsmen in the Veteran Reserve Corps, who show them off in some period photos. This has a tall green pompom. They were issued for dress wear with a green feathered plume, though there is some mention of a pompom being included in the uniform shipments for field wear.

These shakos are not militia pieces or just of the period, but are known to have been issued in the Army of the Potomac during the war and merit a place in a collection of Civil War headgear.    [sr] [ph:L]

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