Civil War Union Officer’s Chasseur Style Forage Cap

ON HOLD

Civil War Union Officer’s Chasseur Style Forage Cap – This cap is a fine example of an early war, Union officer’s cap, tailored in the chasseur style, popular with many Federal officers, at the onset of hostilities. The cap is constructed of a fine grade of English, broad cloth, indigo-dyed wool. The exterior crown and sides of the cap are adorned with decorative, rank-indicative quatrefoil, made of intertwined, wool cording; there are three strands in each group of quatrefoil, indictive of the rank of Major. The brim is bound and is constructed of a black, enameled leather, top side, and green enameled underside. The chinstrap is affixed to either side of the hat by two, war period, eagle “I” buttons, indicative of the infantry branch of service. The interior of the cap is lined in a black silk, on the body; the crown appears to be black-enameled, pasteboard. The sweatband, which is sewn, top and bottom to the interior of the cap, is constructed of a fine grade of scored, brown, calfskin. There are some splits in the silk body lining, although the fabric is stable and not weakened. Overall, the cap remains in very good condition, exhibiting some minor nips; the cap appears to have been worn during the officer’s course of service, as indicated by some weather-related soiling to the exterior crown and wear to the sweatband.