This is a very pretty example of the bullion embroidered side plate used to hold up one side of the brim on the M1858 officer’s dress hat, known as the Hardee or Jeff Davis hat in collector shorthand. The style had its origins in the popular “Kossuth” hat, named after the Hungarian politician and revolutionary who tried for parliamentary government and then independence for Hungary in 1848 and made a popular tour of the U.S. The style got a tryout with the new cavalry regiments of 1855 and was adopted army-wide in 1858.

This follows the regulation pattern with the arms of the U.S. embroidered in gold bullion on an oval black velvet background. It has polished cotton backing and is edges with gilt jaceron wire. The background color is very good. The bullion has oxidized slightly with some areas showing nice remnants of gilt and others shifting to a muted silver, though some elements, like the stars, may have been silver to begin with.

This would add to an officer’s display or a collection of Civil War insignia, particularly bullion insignia, which has a lot of variety and eye-appeal, not to mention history.   [sr] [ph:L]

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