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EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CIVIL WAR PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CIVIL WAR PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY

HAT ALSO KNOWN AS A "PASCAL HAT" POSSIBLY WORN BY THE "ANDERSON BODY GUARD". This is arguably one of the rarest Union military hats of the entire Civil War with between 3 and 5 examples known to exist. On December 10, 1861, a Philadelphia hatter named Charles Pascal patented a hat/havelock combination. Pascal, and his business partner James Sullender, sold several thousand to the state of Pennsylvania for use by several of their cavalry regiments. This hat was preferred by many because of the protection it afforded to the wearer's neck from the relentless heat of the sun as well as rain. Interestingly, the first contract was written prior to the patent in November of '61 for 100 pieces for the "Anderson Body Guard", which was the headquarters' guard of Brigadier General Robert Anderson. This guard would eventually from the nucleus of the Pennsylvania Cavalry. There is a well-known patriotic envelope that depicts Colonel Rush of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry wearing one of Pascal's famous hats. Subsequent contracts to the state of Pennsylvania provided these hats for $4.60 each, fully trimmed and mounted. This hat is made of black felt with a leather visor. There is a fold down flap used to protect the neck with 2 small shield shaped clips in the front that slip over posts in the visor to prevent the flap from lowering in good weather. There is a pair of crossed saber enlisted cavalry insignia on the front along with a cavalry hat cord. There is a black leather sweatband around the inside of the hat. The inner crown has a lining that reads, "US ARMY" over a spray of arms with "EXTRA MANUFACTURE. 7 NO.3" below. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of all Yankee hats as there are. There are only a few examples extant both in public and private collections. CONDITION: this hat shows minor wear throughout. The leather brim is solid. The body and brim of the hat are complete. There is a tiny separation where the visor meets the hat. Even the sweatband is complete with no major issues. The crown liner shows minimal sweat stains but remains absolutely legible. Hat cords are a bit dirty. Crossed saber insignia is complete and original. (02-17808/BF). $18,000-25,000.