This highly desirable article of Federal Civil War uniform cloth is a fine piece of regulation headgear commonly referred to as a M1858 forage cap. Issued to most Federal soldiers as part of their Civil War uniform, this all-original, dark blue forage cap is a fine complete specimen that was worn by an unknown Union soldier. In fine original condition, forage cap is constructed of dark indigo blue wool and comes complete with its tarred leather visor (brim), leather chin strap, two original, eagle ‘Shield’ brass side buttons, original leather sweatband, its entire original interior lining, and original brass insignia on the crown.  Cap measures 5” high when the crown is extended and features a 7½” wide, thin black bridle leather visor, a.k.a. brim. Visor lays flat and is strongly stitched to the cap brim. The narrow (½” wide) leather chinstrap measures 11” long and retains its two original leather adjusters and its brass ‘slide’, 7/8” high and is made of #19 sheet brass. Strap has no slash cut at the button ends. Secured to each end of the chinstrap is an original, vest-size, eagle “shield” brass button with backmark, both of which are in excellent condition.

The dark blue wool forage cap exterior is in very fine original condition with just a few tiny moth nips at the back left panel near the seam. Original stitching is tight and strong along the brim, crown and front, but has loosened a bit along the back seam.  The crown exterior features a sewn-in, wool-covered, stiff circular pasteboard disc that measures 5½” in diameter and slants or droops downward toward the face when cap is worn.  Crown exterior’s dark blue wool cloth surface is completely free of any moth nips or damage but does show small spots of scuffing along the outside edge.  Cap exhibits an original brass infantry bugle insignia, and the 1¼” high, brass company letter “B” pinned to the pasteboard crown.

Interior surface of the crown and cap feature a fine, polished, dark brown cloth lining that displays no contractor’s label or size.  Buckram stiffener in the lining is 2½” high behind the sweatband. This forage cap retains all of its original polished brown cloth interior lining and lining is in excellent condition with no tearing, ripping or fraying. Cap’s interior leather sweatband is made of thin, Morrocan leather and is in good condition with light to moderate edge scuffing.  Band is 1½” high and is complete. Center seam of the sweatband is separated and tightly stitched to the wool backing.  Rest of band is tight to the kepi’s brim save for a 4” section at the left panel. Top and bottom sides of the leather visor exhibit just normal wear with light edge scuffing but no rips or tears.

Original Civil War Federal infantry forage caps are difficult to find in any condition in the collecting community.  If one seeks an original Civil War forage cap in fine to very fine condition, this is it.

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