Samuel D. Walton of Philadelphia had significant government contracts for forage caps, but we don’t see many of his products, or ones still bearing his label at least, perhaps in large part since they seem to have been early war. This is a very good example of what collectors now refer to as the “type-1,” differing from the boxier “type-2” in having a slightly smaller crown and rounded visor and is complete and in good shape, with full lining and nice label reading “S.D. Walton & Co. / Philadelphia. / No. 2 / 6 7/8” with the upper portion of his initials missing and a hole in the “N” before the army standard size number, but no doubt about the maker. According to Bazelon, Volume 1, Walton had contracts for 10,000 forage caps each in 1861, two such contract in August 1862 and one September 1862 and one more in March 1863.

The painted visor is firmly attached and has good color and surface with a few natural pressure dents, etc. The chinstrap is correct, but likely a replacement, and is correctly attached with two small general service side buttons and sliding friction buckle. There are a few pinprick moth nips low down on the front of the body, along the visor that are hidden by the chinstrap. Otherwise the fabric is very good, with tight seams, color and nap with just some dust, stains, and a couple of pinprick nips. The interior has its full brown polished cotton lining in place with no tears or holes and a full, dark goatskin embossed sweatband showing some natural wear along the lower edge, as does the fabric body in a couple of places.

The cap has been fitted with a blue cloth Second Corps badge and a brass company letter “A.” The letter has shifted slightly, disclosing a darker color indicating the badge has faded somewhat, but we feel both are likely additions by a collector for display, though the company letter may be a period piece. Nevertheless, the cap is very good original, government-issue piece with a real contractor’s label inside and it displays very well.  [sr] [ph:m]

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