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[Billw12280]

Nice grouping which will display well.
Flip over that sword, when you get time, and see if there are any marks on the other side from the Knights head ? Also have a good look in the throat area on the scabbard for letters, etc.. You could have a very pleasant surprise in front of you.

The knights head was the only marking I saw on the blade. I checked the scabbard drag but there was nothing there. I'll check the throat and let you know if there is anything there.

 

[Billw12280]

You did well in the 'after Christmas sales'! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I love being able to own a piece of history and share it with others.

 

[Billw12280]

Nice grouping which will display well.
Flip over that sword, when you get time, and see if there are any marks on the other side from the Knights head ? Also have a good look in the throat area on the scabbard for letters, etc.. You could have a very pleasant surprise in front of you.

I double checked the sword, unfortunately there are no other markings to be found on the blade or scabbard. Thanks for the recommendation though.

 

[Package4]

The kepi is post war, keep in mind that the majority of kepi's produced in the 1800's were for GAR purposes and not necessarily military in nature. The post war army was fairly small, so when you compare the ACW veterans in the GAR you come up with over 2 million. Using very loose math we could estimate that half of those purchased kepis, some both kepi and slouch, with the balance slouch.

ACW kepis were not an issue item, but a private purchase and tend to have a longer bill and thinner, than their post war brethren, a dark brown or black sweatband, 2" to 3" brim to crown height (taller the better) and very fine broadcloth material.

There is a very good article in North South Trader written by Dr. Michael McDonnell (IIRC) explaining the differences. The cavalry insignia appears to be a Bannerman restrike for mounting on GAR headgear, again war date pieces tend towards the loop attachments.

Keep in mind that there are few absolutes in collecting and always exceptions, but you never want to buy based upon those exceptions, unless there is a bonafide provenance. All in all you have a great lot, that quite possibly, be the wartime mixed with postwar memorabilia.

It is very common for a trunk to be opened and find war date and post war pieces, family members of the soldier would not know the difference upon the soldier's passing and put all together in storage and label "Grandfather Pat's Civil War effects"

Overall a great collection of artifacts!

 

[Package4]

The kepi has me very confused. It has a similar look to the ones in my collection that are post ACW but there are definite differences. I took a side by side comparison picture of the one I just received next to one in my collection already. I just don't know what to think about it.View attachment 174319 View attachment 174320 View attachment 174321

Keep in mind that there were no specifications for GAR kepis, if you have an embossed honey colored sweatband you almost always have a post war and most likely GAR kepi.

 

[Package4]

The kepi is post war, keep in mind that the majority of kepi's produced in the 1800's were for GAR purposes and not necessarily military in nature. The post war army was fairly small, so when you compare the ACW veterans in the GAR you come up with over 2 million. Using very loose math we could estimate that half of those purchased kepis, some both kepi and slouch, with the balance slouch.

ACW kepis were not an issue item, but a private purchase and tend to have a longer bill and thinner, than their post war brethren, a dark brown or black sweatband, 2" to 3" brim to crown height (taller the better) and very fine broadcloth material.

There is a very good article in North South Trader written by Dr. Michael McDonnell (IIRC) explaining the differences. The cavalry insignia appears to be a Bannerman restrike for mounting on GAR headgear, again war date pieces tend towards the loop attachments.

Keep in mind that there are few absolutes in collecting and always exceptions, but you never want to buy based upon those exceptions, unless there is a bonafide provenance. All in all you have a great lot, that quite possibly, be the wartime mixed with postwar memorabilia.

It is very common for a trunk to be opened and find war date and post war pieces, family members of the soldier would not know the difference upon the soldier's passing and put all together in storage and label "Grandfather Pat's Civil War effects"

Overall a great collection of artifacts!

Boy was I wrong it is an article written by Dr. Michael Cunningham:

 

[Billw12280]

The kepi is post war, keep in mind that the majority of kepi's produced in the 1800's were for GAR purposes and not necessarily military in nature. The post war army was fairly small, so when you compare the ACW veterans in the GAR you come up with over 2 million. Using very loose math we could estimate that half of those purchased kepis, some both kepi and slouch, with the balance slouch.

ACW kepis were not an issue item, but a private purchase and tend to have a longer bill and thinner, than their post war brethren, a dark brown or black sweatband, 2" to 3" brim to crown height (taller the better) and very fine broadcloth material.

There is a very good article in North South Trader written by Dr. Michael McDonnell (IIRC) explaining the differences. The cavalry insignia appears to be a Bannerman restrike for mounting on GAR headgear, again war date pieces tend towards the loop attachments.

Keep in mind that there are few absolutes in collecting and always exceptions, but you never want to buy based upon those exceptions, unless there is a bonafide provenance. All in all you have a great lot, that quite possibly, be the wartime mixed with postwar memorabilia.

It is very common for a trunk to be opened and find war date and post war pieces, family members of the soldier would not know the difference upon the soldier's passing and put all together in storage and label "Grandfather Pat's Civil War effects"

Overall a great collection of artifacts!

Thank you @Package4, as always I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge. I learn so much here but still have issues identifying Civil War vs postwar cloth items. Hopefully once I have acquired my first Civil War clothing item something will click.

 

[Billw12280]

Boy was I wrong it is an article written by Dr. Michael Cunningham:

I really need to subscribe to North South Trader.

 

[Deleted User CS]

Wow. What a nice set of civil war collectibles. The kepi seems to be in excellent shape along with everything else. They are a nice addition to any civil war collection. Thanks for sharing them with the forum. David.

 

[Package4]

I really need to subscribe to North South Trader.

Go get this issue, it has the article about war date and post war Chasseur Cap:

 

[James N.]

The Kepi maker looks like a post war Henderson mark. The brim seems to be short kinda reminds me of the pattern 1898? But being so worn it's difficult to pin down. It appears to be missing the band and buttons which would help identify and date. Just my opinion! I love it and think it's a great addition!

The kepi was actually one of the items I was unsure about. I only saw pictures of the top and sides until it came today. It looked different from the post war kepis I already have. Since it all came as a package with the exception of the 1851 sword plate I decided to chance it.

It looks too tall to me - ones from the 1890's resemble pancakes!

 

[James N.]

The belt plate and canteen are near twins to ones I have!

 

[Billw12280]

The Kepi maker looks like a post war Henderson mark. The brim seems to be short kinda reminds me of the pattern 1898? But being so worn it's difficult to pin down. It appears to be missing the band and buttons which would help identify and date. Just my opinion! I love it and think it's a great addition!

It looks too tall to me - ones from the 1890's resemble pancakes!

I've been doing more research and found that the kepi went to a pillbox style cap in 1895. The cap looked almost like something a train conductor would wear. All aboard!