US Civil War Import, French Mle 1860 Infantry Shako
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $750.00

Original era manufacture. After the outbreak of our Civil War in April of 1861, the Federal government ordered 10,000 sets of uniforms and equipment from France, this uniform set included a black leather shako with brass eagle decoration, of a pattern then in service with the French Army. Adopted in 1860 by the Imperial army of Napoleon III, this pattern shako remained regulation until 1867 when a new all cloth pattern rigid kepi was introduced. In spite of the regulation change, this pattern shako certainly did see service during the Franco-Prussian war, as we have a similar example in our own collection which has an inscribed notation on the interior as being captured in Strasbourg.Further, this was the pattern of shako worn by the French regiments sent to Mexico to bolster the ill-fated regime of Emperor Maximillian.Here in the United States, several Federal regiments were equipped with these Chasseur style French uniforms and shakos including the 83rd Pennsylvania. These shakos were generally detested by the Union soldiers so they did not enjoy a long service use. The surviving examples were sold as surplus to Francis Bannerman at war's end.All leather construction, with a stamped brass eagle front plate, and an original paint blue-white-red cockade above (colors reversed on the French cockade). The wide leather sweatband is fairly complete showing a tear and missing portion on the left rear. Period markings can be seen on the interior, size marked 3 1/2. Comes with a period pompom, as shown in our photos.