Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2208:
Description
This compelling artifact represents the cross-cultural “frontier” style of the late 19th century, where military surplus was often repurposed into Native American regalia. The tall crown is constructed of period silk or possibly beaver felt, adorned with a stamped brass infantry horn—the regulation branch insignia for Civil War foot soldiers—and uniquely modified with a hand-strung stone or bone bead band and a feather plume. The interior displays a period cardboard frame with handwritten “69 A” notations, possibly a regimental or inventory mark, though the original silk or cloth lining is completely missing. Objective condition assessment shows significant historical wear: the brim has heavy fraying and loss of its finished edge, the felt nap on the crown displays thinning and various tears, and the internal frame has begun to separate from the body. H 7.25″, W 11″, D 7.25″.
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