Description

Cap: Civil War forage cap (also called a kepi cap or nicknamed a "bummers cap"). This may be a cadet's cap. The cap is navy blue felt. The head opening is 6 1/8" wide and 7 3/4" long. The top crown is flat and has a diameter of 5 1/4" inches. At the top of the cap, the sides of the crown dip down to the flat part of the crown. The front of the cap is 2 3/4" high and the back of the cap is 5" long (tape measure against cap). The top of the side crown in the front of the cap is another piece of material. Along the bottom of the cap is a 1 1/8" wide felt band. There is a 1 1/4" wide black leather square visor. On each side of the cap is a gold button with an emblem of a shield. On the left side of the shield is sun and water with mountains (?). On the upper right side are stars and on the lower right side are vertical stripes. On top of the shield is an eagle. Around the top of the button are 13 stars and around the bottom is "EXCELSIOR". The chin strap is connected to the buttons. The chin strap is 3/8" wide gold metallic thread. The ends overlap and slide to adjust the size. The top inside crown has stiff board with black oil cloth(?) on top. Imprinted in faded gray in an oval is "RIDABOCK & CO/_____/BAKER & MILLINERY/MILITARY/____/GRAND ST. NEW YORK". Underneath in faded white block letters is "W.O. DILLON". Around the bottom inside is a 1 1/8" wide brown leather band. Underneath this is a stiff leather band to give the cap shape. At the back of the band is a black woven loop and a piece of black material. Condition - There is a hole in the felt on the right side above the stiff band. There is a long indentation, cracks, and worn areas in the leather visor. There are white spots on the black oil cloth on the top inside crown. The inside leather band is worn. The right end of the visor is coming detached from the hat. The chin strap is stained.

Geographic Notes

New York/USA