McDowell Pattern Union Forage Cap w/11th Corps Badge

McDowell Pattern Union Forage Cap w/11th Corps Badge (image 1/1)
Pricing & History
a Federal blue wool enlisted kepi with distinctive, very wide, crescent-shaped, tarred brim. Crown is 3” high in front, lower than the typical McDowell cap. On the left side is stitched an 11th Corps badge in red wool. The chin strap, eagle side buttons and brown polished cotton lining are all intact with maker’s name, “Bent & Bush/Boston,” inside crown. Sweatband is .75" wide and complete. Given the premium associated with headgear retaining badges, we cannot determine whether the ostensibly authentic 11th Corps badge is original to this cap. Bazelon & McGuinn in American Military Goods Dealers and Makers state that the firm “did an extensive business in military headgear during and after the Civil War.” Bent & Bush supplied the M1859 dress hat to the USMC from 1861 to 1874 as well as an unknown number of forage caps to the army, but specific details that quantify these contracts are lacking. The firm later received a large contract for “28,000 forage caps” in 1872. Ex Richard K. Tibbals Collection Condition: Cap is near EXC condition, complete, with no mothing.
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