US Spanish American War Iowa 49th Infantry Hat Badge
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: $45.00

Original era manufacture. Lead filled, stamped brass hat insignia of the 49th Iowa Infantry. The following article appeared in Tama, Iowa newspaper, dated June 2, 1898, the day the 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry left for service. Almost all of the men in the 49th Iowa had came from the northeast fourth of the state. The unit was mustered into service at Des Moines on June 2, 1898. For a while, it appeared as though the 49th was not going to be accepted into the federal service since Iowa's quota was only three regiments and the 49th had the junior colonel among the four regiments that were raised (the others being the 50th, 51st, and 52nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry regiments). However, according to the 49th's published history, the unit was so well trained and had such a good appearance that they accepted anyhow.  At the time they were mustered into the federal service, the unit consisted of 50 officers and 780 men.