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PATTERN 1883/1889 CAMPAIGN HAT – A RARE LATE
INDIAN WARS-SPANISH AMERICAN WAR UNIFORM HAT:
Commonly referred to as the Pattern 1883/1889 due to the
minimal differences in the uniform regulations that
defined the Patterns 1883 and 1889 hats, this Pattern
1883/1889 US Army Campaign Hat was issued during the
late Indian War Period and continued in use during the
Spanish American War. To place it in the context of
period, this would have been the hat worn by the
soldiers patrolling the deserts in Arizona, at the
terrible incident at Wounded Knee, and assaulting the
heights of San Juan Hill.
Having retained its body and shape, this hat has
survived the passage of time in very good condition.
The crown features the “snowflake” design of ventilation
holes on each side of the crown which identifies the hat
as a Pattern 1883/1889. It does show evidence of having
been issued and worn. The front of the crown has
mounting holes and a trace of the imprint of a set of
crossed sabres or rifles having been attached to the
hat. The ribbon trim around the crown is intact,
including the proper flat bow. The crown is full form
with no breaks or tears and retains the characteristic
blocking where in the top of the crown is slighting
wider than the base – a unique form for these frontier
hats. The brim is in overall very good condition with
one small break in the felt on the edge adjacent to the
right temple, and a crease in the felt across the rear
left quarter of the brim. The crease is just that, a
place where the brim was bent, likely in storage, but
there is no break in the felt. The sweat band shows
the most wear of any of the features of the hat, a
common result of any antique hats that have been
subjected to any amount of wear. The deposits left by
perspiration affect the leather band and through time
this results in some deterioration. The majority of the
sweat band remains and part of the maker’s mark is still
legible. The felt is overall clean and still retains
its shape and body, and the hat displays quite well.
Any 19TH Century US Army Campaign Hat is a
rare offering, and finding one that presents in this
condition is notable. An item of clothing that was
prone to be worn to destruction – even after the soldier
separated from the service – and one that was difficult
to store through the years in such a way as to avoid
crushing or damage, these early campaign hats simply did
not survive in large numbers to pass into modern
collections. This is a very respectable example and one
that would display nicely with an Indian Wars or Spanish
American War grouping.
SOLD
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