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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 decent condition and
shows evidence of having been worn by a veteran of the
frontier west or the Spanish American War. The crown
features the “snowflake” design of ventilation holes on
each side, identifying the hat as a Pattern 1883/1889.
The hat does show evidence of having been issued and
worn, with the soldier applied roll to the front of the
brim and the fore and aft crease of the crown. The
crown is full form, however there is a separation along
the left side of the crest of the crease, the result of
wear and aging where the felt was bent over the crease.
This separation is not readily apparent when the hat is
displayed, and only fully visible if the crease is
pushed open. The brim is in overall excellent condition
with none of the characteristic breaks in the edge of
the felt. The edge of the brim still retains the three
rows of stitching which was instituted to stiffen the
brim and support the edge. The sweat band is missing;
apparently having suffered from the common deterioration
caused by the perspiration and it was eventually
removed. It is worth noting that the hat appears to
have been worn after the sweat band was removed, so it
absence didn’t seem to concern the soldier. There is
some light mothing as can be seen in the photographs
below, but none that resulted in holes in the felt. In
spite of these signs of wear and age, 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.
(0575)
$995
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