1858 Infantry Enlisted Hat Insignia

Description

1858 Regulation enlisted infantryman’s insignia for dress (Hardee) hat and, although unauthorized for use by soldiers, later used on kepis and forage caps. This is the standard Infantry insignia most commonly used during the Civil War. As per Army regulations (and rarely adhered to), only the company letter on the front of the cap and, in 1863 a Corps Badge, was authorized.

The hunting horn design was borrowed from the European armies, where it was used as an insignia for light infantry or rifle units. Those troops were often recruited from huntsmen and the horn was symbolic of the hunt. These first appeared as an individual U.S. Army insignia on the infantry cap (shako) of 1832. The more familiar style of the infantry horn, used extensively during the Civil War, first appeared on officer’s forage cap bands in 1839.

Made from stamped brass with soldered brass wire hooks for attaching to hats or other items, 3 1/2″ x 2″ (approx). Made in the U.S.A.