Original Item. Only One Available. The Hardee hat, also known as the Model 1858 Dress Hat and sometimes nicknamed the "Jeff Davis", was the regulation dress hat for enlisted men in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Hardee hat was also worn by Confederate soldiers. The Hardee hat was first worn by the 1st and 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiments when raised in 1855. The issue of this new headdress to these units as a substitute for the shakos and forage caps worn by the remainder of the army was initially a provisional one inspired by then Major William J. Hardee of the 2nd Cavalry.

This is an extraordinarily scarce example of one of the most iconic pieces of American headgear of the Civil War, the “Jeff Davis” Hardee Hat. This example was worn by an enlisted man of Company G of a 5th Infantry Regiment, as indicated by the French Horn Infantry hat badge & the blue-colored hat cord. As there were a countless number of 5th Regiments across various state militias during the Civil War, we are unable to identify this example to any particular unit.

This hat is the best-condition example we have offered, and does not appear to have ever been fitted with a federal eagle badge to “slouch” one side. The body of the hat retains its shape far better than others we have offered.

The brim of the hat has the correct two rows of stitching. The form of the hat has held up considerably well, with the only serious issue being the cracking of the material at the sides. The interior of the cap shows that it is retaining its entire original sweatband, which measures 2½”, one of the longest sweatbands we have ever seen. It cannot be overstated how rare it is to find the sweatband in this condition.

The markings at the crown are still entirely clear, showing a US ARMY banner over an Eagle & flag motif over 4, certainly the size of the hat.

This is an exceptionally rare piece of headgear, perfect for any Civil War Collection. This is only the third example we’ve ever offered, so don’t miss out. Comes ready for further research and display.

During the Civil War most soldiers found the black felt hat to be too hot and heavy and shunned its use, preferring a forage cap or slouch hat. The unadorned, plain and often field-modified Hardee hat was, however, worn by Union troops, especially in the Western theater. The Hardee hat was most famously worn, and easily identified, as the hat worn by the Union Army's Iron Brigade, and it became their trademark and they were popularly known by the nickname "The Black Hats".

The hat was named after William J. Hardee, a career officer in the U.S. Army from 1838 until resigning his commission on January 31, 1861. Hardee was Commandant of Cadets at West Point from 1856 to 1860. He was lieutenant colonel of the 1st U.S. Cavalry until just before the war. In 1855, he published Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics for the Exercise and Manoeuvres of Troops When Acting as Light Infantry or Riflemen, popularly known as Hardee's Tactics, which became the best-known drill manual of both sides of the Civil War. He joined the Confederate States Army in March 1861 and eventually became a lieutenant general and corps commander.

U.S. Army regulations specified that the hat should be adorned with a brass hat device and a wool hat cord denoting the branch of service of the wearer: sky blue for infantry, scarlet for artillery, and gold for cavalry. The brim was to be pinned up on the right side for cavalrymen and artillerymen, and on the left for infantry soldiers.