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RARE CIVIL WAR SEAMAN’S FLAT CAP FROM U.S.S.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
RARE CIVIL WAR SEAMAN’S FLAT CAP FROM U.S.S.
“POWHATAN". Classic sailor’s flat cap, dark navy blue wool body, painted silk ribbon flanked by painted fouled anchors designate that sailor was on USS Powhatan. Finely lined w/ red & blue decorated polished cotton & silk linin., 2.5” Embroidered silk & wool rosette on crown. A real prize for Civil War naval collectors as few named flat caps survive. USS Powhatan, Sidewheel Steam Frigate, 275 man crew, built in 1850 was the largest, fastest & most expensive American vessel ever built. She played many roles during the war. At war’s outbreak April 1861, while under the command of Lt. David Dixon Porter, she assisted in the relief of Fort Pickens, Florida, chased CSS Sumter late 1861, operated off Charleston, South Carolina from October 1862 to August 1863. Captured schooner Major E. Willis on 19 April & sloop C. Routereau on 16 May, & deployed for a second time to the West Indies from November 1863 to September 1864 as flagship of Rear Admiral James L. Lardner. She participated in the successful reduction of Fort Fisher, 24–25 December 1864 & in its capture on 13–15 January 1865. CONDITION: good to very good overall. Wool body is sound w/ bound sewn edge, silk & cotton plaid linings are frayed & torn in crown. Side lining is soiled from sweat. Silk bow on side is fragile & about 80% intact. The painted silk ribbon w/ ship name retains about 95% of its original paint, gold w/ red highlights, silk ribbon is cracked & apparently professionally backed by good conservator. (02-14875/JS). $3,000-4,000.