This regulation hat insignia for the officer’s dress hat is in superb condition. The jaceron wire border is tightly in place. The color of the base velvet fabric is still a deep black. There is lot of gilt on the bullion strands with only slight rubbing at the very highest points. The stars show their original silver. The red eye of the eagle shows a bit of fading, as does the tiny tongue, but they are still very visible. The brown cloth backing is all there on the reverse and still tightly sewn around the edge. The two small brass standing loops are still affixed to the inner metal stiffening plate.

Adapted from the officer’s 1851 shako, this was the regulation insignia to be worn on side of the army officer’s dress hat adopted for all branches of service in 1858. Also known as the “Hardee” or “Jeff Davis” hat, the enlisted version featured stamped brass insignia. Officers purchased their own uniforms and insignia, and wore embroidered branch of service insignia on the front of the hat and these, bearing the arms of the U.S., on the side, securing a turned-up brim. The quality varied by the officer’s means and the available dealers in military goods. This is a very nice example in exceptional condition.  [SR]

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