June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
Adopted on June 14th, 1876, two weeks before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, these made it out to the plains later that summer. The contract for these hats went to the John T. Waring & Co.,Yonkers, N.Y. for an initial run of 15,000 hats. Waring only remained in business one more year and did not produce the full contract. The M1876 was not actually issued until 1877 but was still widely used in the remaining campaigns in the Dakotas as well as the campaigns against the Apaches. CONDITION: Hat is constructed of fine black wool felt, with both grommeted brass Brasier vents in place on either side of the crown. The grosgrain black band is present and intact around the base of the crown along with an original yellow worsted wool cavalry cord. 95% of the russet brown leather sweatband remains intact with a 2.5" tear near the front. PROVENANCE: Dr. Frank Wagner cavalry museum collection.
Condition: (Excellent).