These low-crown kepis became regulation headgear in 1872, but had been in the works for some time as fashion conscious officers even during the Civil War opted for natty lower crown chasseur pattern caps. This is a commercial version with light brown cotton lining embossed with a griffin trademark reading “Jeanette / fine quality/ warranted.” The visor is tarred or enameled leather and unbound, indicating a less expensive piece, appropriate for an enlisted man who might purchase one. The chinstrap is a thin, narrow tarred leather as well, with an early style flat friction buckle, fastened by two 1880s-type general service eagle buttons. A set of 1872-pattern cavalry crossed sabers is fixed to the bottom front. These are smaller than the Civil War versions and specially designed with the small 1872 pattern caps in mind. They were in theory replaced by 1875 versions with company letters, but show up in photos for quite some time after.

The lining is complete on the inside, but the sweatband is missing and there are some small wear spots around the lower edge of the cap and some raggedness along the lower front edge where it would ride against one’s brown. The lining shows a light rectangular dark marking, probably from a paper label once inside bearing the owner’s name. The exterior is good, with strong color and only a few stains and wear spots to the nap. One section of the chinstrap has a break that could be repaired. [sr] [ph:m]

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