December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2021
The U.S. army contracted with the Godillot firm in France for 10,000 sets of French chasseur, light infantry, uniforms and equipment. These were delivered in 1861. Among the recipients were the 18th Mass, 62nd and 83rd PA, and a regiment of the Excelsior Brigade, awarded on the basis of drill competition. With many of the uniforms too small for issue, some uniform elements like the cloaks were altered and others, like these shakos went their own way with issue to Veteran Reserve Corps bandsmen and others. This is a nice example, with U.S. front insignia consisting of a U.S. eagle over an infantry hunting horn with painted shield and background for the horn, and red, white and blue cockade. The feathered plume issued with these has been replaced with a faded light blue pompom. The chinstrap is present inside the cap, detached on one side. French stencil and stamped number and letter codes are present inside the hat and on the underside of the visor. CONDITION: Excellent, with chinstrap partially detached and substitute pompom. A legitimate piece of uniform headgear imported by the Union army.
Item Dimensions: 10" x 10"