December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2021
Civil War low-crown chasseur pattern forage cap with inset kepi-style crown, bound visor, chinstrap with Massachusetts side buttons. Complete sweatband and two-thirds style polished cotton lining in place. Top is mounted with original flat white metal large E company letter and smaller 52 regimental number in separate numerals. Letter shows tarnish. Numerals muted silver. The regiment mustered in for nine months service in Fall 1862 and served in the deep south in the campaign to open the Mississippi as part of the 19th Corps, Department of the Gulf. It saw active service in the reconnaissance to Port Hudson, operations in western Louisiana, including the Bayou Teche campaign and Irish Bend, service in the siege of Port Hudson, where it took part in the second assault of June 14, 1863, and subsequent duty in the trenches, losing 11 men killed in action or mortally wounded during its service. After the surrender of Port Hudson it served in the garrison and returned to Massachusetts to be mustered out in August 1863. CONDITION: Very good. Some stains to top of cap and tarnish to insignia commensurate with age and wear. Narrow two-piece chinstrap lacks buckle, but sections adhere to one another. The cap is solid and displays very well. The use of white metal numerals, sometimes in conjunction with gilt brass branch of service insignia, is frequently encountered in New England headgear and an enlisted variation of the officers use of silver embroidered bullion numerals with gold embroidered hunting horns, etc. The shorter inset crown, kepi style forage cap that took over military fashion in the 1870s is also well documented in wartime use. Civil War caps with legitimate insignia are hard to come by.
Item Dimensions: 10" X 6"