Original 1870's Mass.Vol.Mil. SH&G Officer's Cap

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This is an Original Example of the most popular militia headgear of the 1870's, a "Baker & McKenney Cap", sold by: SCHULYER, HARTLEY & GRAHAM, 19 Maiden Lane (1858-1876 ), NYC. The "Baker & McKenney Cap" was a black felt kepi, bound with patent leather at the base & crown, upon which was attached a brass cap-plate & colored pompom. In the Woodhull report of 1867, such a cap was suggested for the U.S. Army and Bent & Bush of Boston advertised examples as early as 1869 for militia sales. Why it became known for Baker & McKenney is probably because Bent & Bush had such large Government contracts and Baker & McKenney may have catered more to the militias. ( The U.S. regulations adopted by the Marcy Board in 1872, however, did not include such a cap. The U. S. Regulation FULL-DRESS CAP of 1872 was a FELT SHELL covered with indigo-blue cloth. While it resembles this militia cap, it does not have the leather crown piece, nor the leather binding-strip around the bottom and the militia cap has no cloth covering. The initial contractors for the U.S. Model 1872 Dress Cap was Bent & Bush, who manufactured 28,800 in 1872 & 1874. ) This example is in very fine condition, complete with , chinstrap with "1872 style Eagle" two artillery, 1-1/2" crossed cannons, wired, high grade Massachusetts officer's gilt buttons, rear brass, decorative vent read more

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