[CIVIL WAR]. Unissued enlisted Hardee hat with original interior label, unpunched
Sale 1344 - American Historical Ephemera and Photography
May 31, 2024
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Own a similar item?
Request An Estimate
Estimate
$3,000 -
5,000
Price Realized
$2,858
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[CIVIL WAR]. Unissued enlisted Hardee hat with original interior label, unpunched
15 x 12 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. Black wool felt hat with vegetable tanned leather sweat band and painted cardboard label to the interior crown reading "U.S. ARMY/{Eagle atop a cannon and panoply of arms}/EXTRA/MANUFACTURE/7/No. 3." Hat features a double stitched brim, and a black ribbon. (Unissued condition. Item is without mounting holes for insignia or any other accoutrements. There is a small hole to the crown approximately 4 in. above the brim, and a crease to the brim. Interior label remains crisp and clearly legible. Stitching to the sweat band has broken down, with few stitches remaining intact through the band. Leather remains supple with some wastage at the edges, some stains and scratches. Signs of adhesive residue).
The Pattern of 1858 hat, better known as the "Hardee Hat", is named for General William J. Hardee, a career officer in the US Army who later fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Hardee was best known for his widely utilized drill manual entitled Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics for the Exercize and Manoeuvres of Troops When Acting as Light Infantry or Riflemen, which was studied and utilized by both sides during the Civil War. First worn by elements of the 1st and 2nd Cavalry regiments in 1855, the Hardee Hat is most iconically associated with the "Iron Brigade", which fought from the Northern Virginia Campaign all the way to the Battle Appomattox Courthouse. The condition of this hat suggests it never found its way onto the head of a Union soldier, and remained awaiting an owner and an insignia.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Condition Report
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to
age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and
restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition
they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make
no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind
as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue
description or a condition report shall not amount to a full
accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman
staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the
Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or
in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an
item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for
inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect
the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have
requested, received and understood any condition report provided
by Hindman.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.