This Civil War forage cap retains its army contractor’s paper label on the underside of the crown reading, “M. & G. / No. 4/ N.Y.” and has been fitted with brass insignia to designate a member of Company A of a 6^th regiment of cavalry (either state or federal.) The number “4” on the label is one of the army’s standard size designations. The “M. & G.” identifies the maker as the firm of Murphy and Griswold, who had major contracts for caps with the U.S. government from 1862 to 1865. Thomas Murphy, William Griswold & Company were hatters on 19^th Street in New York City when they obtained contracts in 1862 for at least 205,000 and in 1863, when they changed to Murphy and Griswold, another 205,700, plus at least another 370,500 in 1864, and reportedly 50,000 in 1865, the year the firm was dissolved. All in all, if you are looking for a “typical” Union soldier’s forage cap, one made by this firm would be a strong candidate. (See Bazelon, Vol. 2, p.349, for a discussion of the company’s state contracts and its complicated business relationships with both “Murphy & Childs,” and L.J. & I. Phillips.)

The cap has good color and solid fabric with just some scattered stains and very few moth nips. We see just a separation of a couple of inches along the vertical seam at top rear of the cap that could be easily repaired. The chinstrap is secured by two small eagle buttons and is likely a replacement added for display, as likely the insignia. The interior of the cap is very good, with full lining and sweatband, and the visor securely in place.

This would look good as part of a cavalry, uniform or headgear display- Civil War headgear as a collecting field offers a lot of variety combined with visual appeal and historical interest. This example could even serve as a memento of an ancestor with service in a 6^th cavalry regiment.  [sr][ph:m]

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