Help with a Cap Insignia, 1858 Pattern, Dragoon/Cavalry

[Walker1847]

Hello everyone,
I got this Cavalry cap insignia for my collection. Please, can anyone tell me if this is an original 1858 Pattern Dragoon/Cavalry Cap Insignia?
Or is it a well-made copy? Thank you very much for your help.
Regards from Germany!

 

[Rhea Cole]

Dragoons were disbanded in 1860. They were absorbed by the 1st & 2nd cavalry in 1861.

They have been making excellent reproductions since the 1960's. A 65 year old repro will be very difficult to differentiate from an original.

 

[Mississippian1861]

Dragoons were disbanded in 1860. They were absorbed by the 1st & 2nd cavalry in 1861.

They have been making excellent reproductions since the 1960's. A 65 year old repro will be very difficult to differentiate from an original.

They were not disbanded, they were renamed in order of seniority in August 1861. The 1st Dragoons became the 1st Cavalry, the 2nd Dragoons became the 2nd Cavalry, the Regiment of Mounted Rifles became the 3rd Cavalry, the existing 1st Cavalry became the 4th Cavalry, the existing 2nd Cavalry became the 5th Cavalry, and the newly raised 3rd Cavalry became the 6th Cavalry.

The Dragoons and Mounted Riflemen were allowed to wear their distinctive trimmed jackets (orange and green respectively) until they wore out and were replaced by cavalry yellow.

 

[Mint Julep]

This one, in my opinion, is a reproduction.

 

[Salterr]

Period correct brass insignia will have loops or in some variants, stick pins that are also soldered into place

 

[Dan Kohli]

They were absorbed by the 1st & 2nd cavalry in 1861.

Absorbed is a bit inaccurate of a term for what happened. Reorganized is better.

 

[Salterr]

I hope this helps

 

[Walker1847]

Thank you for your review and the photos. Then, unfortunately, my insignia is a copy.
Regards.

 

[Salterr]

Thank you for your review and the photos. Then, unfortunately, my insignia is a copy.
Regards.

You can expect them to retail in the 200-295 area for enlisted cavalry pieces

 

[14NYSM]

in some cases, the old dies are used to make insignia for reenactors. Personally, I would be very wary of any items non-dug or without good history.

 

[Salterr]

in some cases, the old dies are used to make insignia for reenactors. Personally, I would be very wary of any items non-dug or without good history.

Insignia is easy to get lost in, it's all in the details of each piece. I deal with it everyday and it still comes with tons of scrutiny on most pieces