This is a Union kepi from the late Civil War period. The blue wool is in excellent condition with only one moth hole. The sweatband is completely missing from the kepi. All stitching on the cloth part is strong throughout the kepi. The two general service buttons are two piece design and have no back mark. Both eagles clutch 3 arrows in the right talon and have 23 stars on the outer edge of the button. The black leather chin strap and black tarred visor are in good condition, but the visor has been restitched in a crude way to keep it on the kepi. There is no makers label in the top of the kepi. It is made in the same fashion as those produced for private purchase by Baker & McKinney of New York. Sewn to the front of the kepi is a brass false embroidered crossed sabers Cavalry insignia. The stitching again is very crude to retain the insignia to the kepi. The paste board in the top of the kepi is in good condition. The cardboard around the base of the kepi is in pretty bad condition. The polished cotton liner is still securely sewn in and is a light brown in color. I have shown this one around to several other dealers and have gotten different opinions. Most think it is indeed a late Civil War Union kepi, but a couple have said they thought it was converted for Indian Wars use. I will let you be the judge. One thing is for sure, this one is priced well below what a Civil War kepi normally goes for!

Item # AA2659

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