Here is a very rare piece. This is a wonderful looking original Civil War soldier's hat and it is a scarce version. This is the pattern known as the model 1858 "Bummer's" cap. This pattern of military hat was a mainstay for the regular fighting men of the Civil War. This one is in gorgeous untouched condition. The blue cloth still retains a deep true blue color with very little deterioration of any kind. On the front of the hat it still retains the original insignia that lets us know who wore it. It has the pattern of insignia that is illustrated as figure #423 on page 176 of the Headgear Insignia book by O'Donnell and Campbell. It is the insignia worn by the Civil War Hospital Steward. They note that this design is the style from the regulations of the 1861 regulations. The regulations require "The wreath in front of brass, with the letters U.S. in Roman, of white metal." The inside of the wreath has the green cloth that denotes the medical branch of service. The hat has the original leather chin strap intact. On one sides of the strap it has the Union eagle design uniform buttons. The original brim is intact with the classic styling that is classic of the bummer style cap of the style that is referred to as a "McDowell" style of hat. On the inside of the hat it has the original sweatband intact as well as the original lining. Inside the top of the hat it has the star style design. This is a very well made piece of Civil War headgear. As you can see from the pictures this is just a beautiful hat all the way around that you can tell was used but never abused. You might not ever get another chance of owning another Civil War hospital steward's hat.