Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful totally genuine United States Army 17th Infantry Officer’s kepi used during the Indian Wars. This U.S. Army Model 1875 Chasseur Pattern Kepi features fabric of dark blue wool broadcloth. The crown stands 2.25" high at the front, 4.25" at the rear seam and the top is 4 3/4" in diameter, stiffened with a pasteboard beneath the lining. The body of the cap meets a band of wool seamed only at the back and stiffened with leather. The cap's interior is lined with black cotton and is in poor condition due to age. The leather sweatband is 1.5" wide. The sweatband is retained around the cap still. Inside markings can still be seen on the pasteboard:

Under the visor a size sticker is also still present which is incredible due to its age and wear! The size is 6 ⅞.

The flat visor is original to the hat, and composed of black patent leather. It is edged which indicates that this is a later production kepi. The condition of the visor is very good for its age with only minor cracking. The kepi face has a bullion embroidered number 17 insignia with crossed rifles at front center, a braided gold strap with brass eagle with “I Shield” buttons which is another identification point for infantry units. These types of buttons were used for officers from 1821-1902. The Kepi has a few moth holes but is still of a very solid construction.

The overall condition of this officer’s forage cap is wonderful, given the fact that it’s over 140 years old! This is a must have in your Civil War or Indian Wars collection!

In the United States, the kepi is most often associated with the American Civil War era, and continued into the Indian Wars. Union soldiers were generally issued kepis for fatigue use. A close copy of the contemporary French kepi, it had a sunken top and squared visor. It was often called a "McClellan cap", after the Union commander of the Army of the Potomac, G. B. McClellan. For field officers, the caps were often decorated in a French-influenced style, with a dark velvet band around the base and black silk braiding on the crown. The kepi was also popular with various state units and as privately purchased headgear; e.g., it was standard issue in 1861 for New York infantry regiments.