Chief Engineer Hat

[armywife106]

Can anyone tell me if this is a genuine kepi hat from the Civil War? It's obviously been taped on the inside to help hold it together, but other than that I can't tell if the hat is genuine. There also appears to be a signature on the inside brim, but I can't make it out. Any insights are appreciated! Thank you!

 

[SethJ]

Summoning @Package4 ... By my very amateur knowledge of uniforms, it appears to be authentic... Though most likely post war considering a few reasons. One is that it looks to be machine stitched on the top part of the band connecting it to the body.
While my knowledge of buttons of the time is limited, I've only ever recognized those style of buttons on post-war gear... I may be wrong on that regard however.
Also, while I'm sure that golden chinstrap braid was probably used some time during the Civil War, that is once again something I've seen on most post-war caps.
I will say, the "Chief Engineer" stitched braid is something I haven't actually seen before. While I've seen similar braid designs and even things similar to the crest (or, whatever it's properly called), I've yet to see something that long, and with two words... Very minor but unique in my point of view.

Keep in mind, there are more actual experts in this field here on the forum. Take my response with a grain of salt.

Cheers,
-Seth

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum. Definitely a post war cap, 1870s on. I've never seen any emblem even similar to that, may have been something added on much later. Interested in what the experts have to say about that.

 

[UnionistMarylander]

Definitely a post-war cap, 1870s-80s... perhaps it is a cap from the chief engineer on a ship or railroad?

 

[RedRover]

Perhaps from a fire department. Most departments evidently employed a Navy pattern cap, but that said, Many Fire Departments by the mid-1870s were employing as uniform caps, marked with a wreath with "Chief Engineer" was not unknown. From Newark, New Jersey, 1876...

 

[Salterr]

Like others have said, this hat has post war characteristics. The braided chin strap and wide rim buttons are post war attributes. The buttons will have a maker on the back and that can date the button's ages depending on how it's written out. Insignia of the civil war is written out in gothic style letters when representing departments. Engineering department insignia of the war will have a silver castle surrounded by a leaf of palm and leaf of laurel. The 1872 model hat is shaped roughly like an isosceles triangle laid down on its side,the back of the hat is around 5 inches and the front around 2. There is also an 1880's style hat and finally an 1895 style that is very boxy with vent holes but that would not be this style so that might narrow it down.

 

[Package4]

Can anyone tell me if this is a genuine kepi hat from the Civil War? It's obviously been taped on the inside to help hold it together, but other than that I can't tell if the hat is genuine. There also appears to be a signature on the inside brim, but I can't make it out. Any insights are appreciated! Thank you!

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The kepi is certainly authentic, but as others have said post war, most likely 1870s-1880s vintage. The construction, chinstrap and interior markings are post war as are any directly embroidered insignia. Very nice and quite possibly rare, determining the provenance based on the writing on the sweatband would be the determining factor. @RedRover has the best explanation, but possibly a military rr engineer?

 

[armywife106]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.