3274 SUPERB CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S FORAGE CAP

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Nov 08 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 7,500.00 USD
Estimated at 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
OF A STYLE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE STONEWALL BRIGADE. A truly exceptional, completely hand sewn, example of forage cap following closely the pattern of the M1858 "McDowell style cap but made from a light gray wool broadcloth with an underlying greenish hue. The thread count of the cloth is a tabby weave of approximately 64 threads per inch for both the warp and the weft. The crown of the cap is quite likely pasteboard, but there is no access for a visual inspection. The crown is 5 3/8" in diameter and the front rise is 3 1/2" with the rear rise being 7 3/4" giving the cap a jaunty rakish appearance. The crown is joined to the body by a welt made of gold braid with an internal reed. There is an internal 1 1/2" burlap like stiffening band around the bottom edge of the cap that presents a tabby weave of 18 by 24 threads per inch. The lining is a very attractive blue, brown, and tan cotton osnaburg in a plaid like pattern with a tabby weave of 52 by 52, both warp and weft. The thin, light brown leather sweatband is 1 3/4" wide and impressed with a ribbed pattern. It is turned under 3/16" where it is hand sewn to the cap's body. The one piece brown pig skin leather visor appears to, at one time, have had a blackened finish. The visor measures 2" wide at the center and 11 3/4" from side to side. It is quite steeply sloped and nearly vertical at the very front, adding to the cap's dashing appearance. There is a small, 1/2" square, early paper collection number " 7 " pasted to the outside left edge of the visor. The rather small and simple chinstrap is about 7/16" wide with each half of the chinstrap being 8" long. There are two small leather loops joining the 2 sections of the chinstrap. The side buttons supporting the chinstrap are small size Federal staff buttons with backmarks that read "EXTRA QUALITY". This spectacular Confederate forage cap is trimmed up the back seam, the front seam, around the bottom, and up each side with a single strip of 3/16" metallic gold braid. The outer crown of the cap has the same metallic gold braid that forms a single strand quatrefoil indicating the cap was made for a lieutenant. The thread used in the construction of this Southern forage cap appears to be unbleached 2 ply linen with an S twist. CONDITION: in a word, superb! The outside of the cap is a bit dirty attesting to arduous field service. The color of the cap's outer surfaces tends towards brown because of this impregnated dirt. The body has a scant few moth nips at the rear and left side. For its age, this early war veteran is in amazing overall condition. (02-27450/BF). $15,000-20,000.