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GAR Officer's Kepi for the 21st Maine Regt.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:NA
GAR Officer's Kepi for the 21st Maine Regt.
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Post-Civil War GAR Officer's Kepi for the 21st Maine Regt., that could date from 1865 to 1900. Black wool body with blue wool top, silver eagle buttons, and silver bullion cord chinstrap. Front has heavy silver bullion embroidered laurel wreath with embroidered numbers ''21'' in the center. Top panel has a red wool diamond with heavy silver bullion embroidered border and device in center. The word ''MAINE'' is embroidered below the diamond. Visor is thick black patent leather. Inside has a thin patent leather sweat band, and blue silk lining with a silver printed maker's mark in the center of ''The McLilley & Co.''. There are faint handwritten initials written in top section of inside lining, a bit hard to read, but looks like ''C H W''. Worthy of further research. Small paper-size tag is mostly gone. Condition is very good for a hat of this age, showing some moth holes to the top edge, front of the body, and blue wool center. Outside material has some wear and thinning, but is very sound. Silver bullion embroidery shows age darkening to the silver and remains tight and intact. Silver bullion chinstrap shows age and soiling. There are creases and surface crazing to the patent leather visor on top and bottom. Silk lining shows a few scattered moth nips and soiling from use. Sweat band is in good condition with a slight detachment near the front. The 21st Maine mustered in Oct. 14, 1862 for 9 months service under Col. Elijah D. Johnson. They participated in operations against Port Hudson, Baton Rouge, and Plains Store, and served duty in the advance, assaults, siege, and final surrender of Port Hudson on July 8, 1863. On July 24, 1863 the regiment was ordered home, and were mustered out on August 25, 1863. Est.: $600-$800.