US Civil War Union Army Issue Forage Cap, Size 7 1/8
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: $2200.00

Original era manufacture. The iconic Union Army headgear of the Civil War, the "Bummer" or forage cap, worn by the enlisted ranks of all branches of the army, in all theaters of the war.This example is one that we have owned for at least 30 years, we recently purchased a local collection and a slightly better example came with the pile, so it's time this old soldier found a new home.Midnight blue wool body with minimal moth issues, soundly attached tarred leather visor and chinstrap with its brass adjusting buckle in place, and a small brass general service button on each side.There are missing portions of the brown polished cotton lining, and those voids have been filled with a similarly colored brown material. Happily the original paper issue and size tag remains glued to the inside of the crown.About two thirds of the original sweatband remains intact, the remainder is a fairly decent match, done by a previous owner.The interior of the hat certainly has its warts, but the exterior is really very nice. In fact, the hat we are replacing this one with has considerable more moth damage, just a better liner and sweatband, with original period insignia.