Item #68359 : Original period manufacture. French M1860 leather enlisted shako, imported during the American Civil War to equip several Federal infantry regiments. In addition to this shako, other French uniforms and equipments were also imported. These were not a big hit with the Northern troops who were issued these awkward pieces of headgear, with many of them being relegated to military storerooms, until sold as surplus postwar. These are near identical to the ones issued to the French army of the era, where they were also received with disapproval by their soldiers, the only real difference between them is the American style eagle and the reversing of the colors on the tricolor cockade. This is a very solid example of the type which includes it's internal leather chinstrap. There is a provision for a pompom at the front but one is not included. Sound stitching, nice luster to the leather