Auction details |
Boston Leather Volunteer Militia Shako, ca 1835-1845. Cream-painted jacked leather hat with twin strands of gold bullion stitched to black felt running diagonally from the crown terminating near the base secured by a gilt brass eagle cockade. Brass rim encompassing the crown secured by three brass rivets. Top middle of crown with a brass semi-sphere with eagle clutching a patriotic shield with its talons. Brass tube for red-dyed ostrich feathers consists of four stylized lotus leaves and a brass flaming bomb representing the Ordnance Department. Front with a large die-cut brass half-sunburst hat plate with the applied brass letters painted in black TWB. Visor also consists of gilt brass with underside painted in forest green. Interior with a fraction of its original black leather sweatband. Owners name penned in ink appears to be William P. Gilbey. Original hat-maker's blue paper label reads John B. Baker Saddle, Trunk and Military Cap Manufacturer No. 2 Elm Street, Boston. Overall height 20". [See To Arms p. 114 Sotheby's 1/19/2003.]
Condition reportLeather on crown is lacking some of its stitching, ca 20% of original sweatband present. Original black paint on hat plate lettering ca 70%. Top right side of helmet with small scrape on cream coating. VG-
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