June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
Lot consists of: (A) Pattern 1875 USMC Enlisted Kepi. Regulation issue fatigue and undress kepi for Marine Corps enlistedman. Kepi has a tarred bill and black leather chinstrap with small brass buckle. Side buttons are gold gilt, high dome, displaying the eagle over anchor surrounded by 13 stars. Nice contract label remains on tarred muslin stiffner to crown: HORSTMANN BROS & CO. – PHILADELPHIA – CONTRACT. MAY 3RD 1893. Russet brown leather sweatband is intact. Die struck nickel, prong back, P1875 EGA Corps device should be a brass variant but is OK for display with the hat. CONDITION: Only a few tiny moth nips evident. No fading or tears to kepi body. (B) USMC 1898 Spanish American War Campaign “Field Hat.” Regulation Marine Corps tropical campaign hat as issued to Leathernecks in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection, and the Boxer Rebellion. This version wasn’t replaced until the P1912 “Montana Peak” campaign hat was issued. Hat is period correct with fore and aft crease, die-struck nickel P1875 EGA Corps device, star ventilation pattern to either side, and grosgrain ribbon at base of crown. CONDITION: Hat shows typical period wear but is free of heavy mothing or fading/water damage. Hat retains it’s thin leather sweatband to the inside. LH side shows faint evidence of former crossed infantry rifles and a “7” regimental designation. Most Army hats in use at this time had a snowflake vent, so perhaps this fell into the hands of an Army soldier and then it came back and then re-acquired? There is an Old Corps saying that “gear adrift is a gift!” (C) Early 1900’s War U.S. Navy Sailor’s Cap. Enlisted sailor’s fatigue and working “flat hat” with U.S.S. Connecticut tally around the front band. Tally is period correct with gold lettering and large block letters. CONDITION: Hat is in nice condition and is free from fading and moth nips. Cap tallies were a source of pride to sailors as their ship was home. BB-18, USS Connecticut was the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after the state of Connecticut, was the lead ship of her class of six battleships. Her keel was laid on 10 March 1903; launched on 29 September 1904, Connecticut was commissioned on 29 September 1906, as the most advanced ship in the US Navy. Connecticut served as the flagship for the Jamestown Exposition in mid-1907, which commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown colony. She later sailed with the Great White Fleet on a circumnavigation of the Earth to showcase the US Navy's growing fleet of blue-water-capable ships. (D) USMC Enlisted Pattern 1914 Visor Cap in Army Khaki As issued to Marine Corps enlisted men during the First World War period. This example was contracted by the Corps to match the olive drab Army uniforms that were being issued to Marines as the Corps did not have enough of the Marine “greens” to keep up with the replacement demands of the Western Front. Hat retains correct P1914 dark bronze EGA Corps device and side buttons. Chinstrap and sweatband are also original. Maker stamp to crown reads: ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE CO. – WASHINGTON D.C. CONDITION Hat shows evidence of heavy mothing, but is decent display example.