This example made of navy-blue broad cloth is a Model 1852 but one that conforms to the modified versions of 1862 that becoming more "Pill Box" in form rather than the "Wheel Hat" puffier crown type. "The uniform of the United States Navy during the Civil War was governed by the 1852 order with changes to meet the need of an expanding Navy. A Uniform Change issued by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles on 31 July 1862".

The insignia on the offered hat is the "Model 1864" 2-piece embroidery rank insignia consisting of a silver vertical fouled and a gold wreath. This insignia, hand sewn in place, is about perfect showing some tarnish to its metallic elements.  The 2 regulation Naval officer cap buttons are made by Horstmann and date 1852 through the Civil War. When found, in the Erie PA area in the 1960s, the right side button's shank was found to be broken, and it was replaced by a brass wire which was soldered in place. Thus, the original button was preserved by the collector. The left button, never off the cap, is set in place with a loop. The patten leather chinstrap is in place with its stamped brass rectangular buckle. The patten leather bound peak is 2 inches deep, unmolested and has not been re-affixed. A broadcloth welt covers the junction of peak and cap. The perfect leather sweat band is hand sewn in place and the cap is lined in a black/brown silk or silk like material (a blend?).

The height of the cap is 3 1/2 inches, the top diameter is 8 inches, and the size is about 6 1/4. 2 narrow bands or welts one 1 1/2 inch below the crown and the other 3 inches below the crown run around the entire circumference of the cap. Between these, according to 1852/62 regulation, was a 1 1/2-inch wide gold bullion braid. However, after January 1864 the braid was universally ordered removed by Gideon Welles Secretary of the Navy. At that time cap rank insignia, in this case Ensign/Master, changed to a new pattern (a vertical rather than a horizontal anchor in silver and a broader gold bullion wreath). The new pattern insignia was no longer at the top front of the cap but rather at the mid-line just above the chinstrap. This cap, the model 1852/62, has had the gold bullion braid removed, as per regulations of 1864, and the new model 1864 insignia applied all during the caps period of use. This all makes perfect sense when one looks at the owner's history which now follows.

The owner of the cap was Francis Adolphus Oliver. The name "Oliver" is in the sweat band and a circa 1965 tag hanging from the cap reads: "F. A. OLIVER. Ensign Jul. 1863. Master Feb. 1864. Resigned May 1864." Oliver entered the US navy as early as 1850. It was in July of 1863 that he achieved the rank of "Ensign". One must assume that it was at that time he purchased this exact cap with gold bullion braid and 1852/62 rank insignia above. In early 1864 he was elevated to the rank of " Acting Master", and it was certainly at this time that he affixed the new pattern insignia after removing the braid. It was not necessary, practical, or maybe even possible for him to acquire a new Model 1864 cap which differed only slightly from the earlier model being even more the "pill box" form. Anyway, the "field" modification from 1862 to 1864 was very simply done by Oliver "shipboard". Oliver was given command of the gunboat USS Little Rebel formerly the CSS Little Rebel (USS Little Rebel - Wikipedia). It was in this capacity that on May 31, 1864, his Acting Master's rank was revoked. He was described by Rear Admiral David Porter as "a worthless officer". After May of 1864 Oliver resigns.  We are not dealing with the cap of a hero, but we can neatly fit the caps use between July 1863 and May of 1864; that's cool! The cap has a couple of very tiny moth nips but is otherwise in superb, museum quality condition. [pe][ph:L]

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