California Gold Rush / Civil War Era Outdoorsman's Cap c. 1840's to 1860's
Wonderful antique man's cap "Outdoorsman's Cap" most frequently associated with military use but this style was also popular in civilian use with the distinctive hat showing up in images dating from before the 1840's through the Civil War era. These caps were generally used up in the period with original examples seldom surviving, this one was found in pure untouched condition fresh from decades of storage. This Cap was fashioned from silk, and quilted with a filler cotton to give it the distinctive shape. This beautiful old cap remains in very good condition despite the fragility of the old silk material. The 2nd image in the gallery was copied off the internet at 72 pixel and is out of focus when increasing it to 250 - 300 pixel but the cap he's wearing is the identical type offered here.
It even looks like he's wearing the same exact cap. Also copied from the internet is an early image of California Gold miners at the diggings. The one on the right also has on a very similar cap.
And one other image of a gold digger wearing a familiar red flannel gold miner's shirt and also wearing one of these silk caps. These caps were made in two variations: an "Outdoorsman's Cap" made with a high crown for summer and winter wear during outdoor pursuits, and a "Military Cap" made with a low crown worn for out-of-uniform dress in the early 19th century by the military although it was not a "regulation" cap. A few small, minor runs in the silk on the outside. The original red leather sweatband remains solidly intact and the silk lining is in nice condition with remains of a maker marking of a panoply of arms. The cap retains an original band of gold bullion tape around the circumference.
The item "California Gold Rush / Civil War Era Outdoorsman's Cap c. 1840's to 1860's" is in sale since Saturday, June 10, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Uniforms".
The seller is "atthediggings" and is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. This item can be shipped worldwide.