December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A rare example of an American-made, leather shako or military cap of the War of 1812 era, with a one-piece crown sewn together in front, with plume socket of leather covering the join line, with a circular crown piece of 7 1/2 inch diameter. The leather visor is two inches broad or wide at center. Two slits on the front of the cap confirm that there was once a cap plate attached, unit unknown. A small wire loop is set at the top of the cap on the right side, to which a cap cord probably was hung running down diagonally across the front (and possibly) rear of the cap and secured on the left side bottom. Although differing slightly in dimensions, this is a close approximation in form of the "yeoman-crowned (wider at top than bottom), felt cap worn by the US Regiment of Light Artillery earlier in the War (as still generally called by Americans during the 1812 period). Provenance: ex. collection of the late George A. Snook, MD; Dr. Snook wrote an article about this cap in the "Military Collector & Historian" some years back, a copy of which accompanies the cap. CONDITION: overall good-very good; the lining or sweatband on interior no longer present, the stitching of visor to cap loosening on one side (but not detached); when acquired, the plume socket had partly come away at top (as seen in the photos in the Snook article), but this was recently restored.