^Lot 5263 CIVIL WAR ERA RED VIRGINIA MILITIA KEPI WITH BOX.

An interesting early red wool kepi, likely of the Civil War period or just before. The kepi has a bullion band around the base and a bullion wreath on the front with a central "R". The rise at the rear seam is just over 6" and the rise in the front is just over 3". The chin strap is black finished leather with a single buckle terminated by Virginia staff style buttons of the Civil War period with "EXTRA QUALITY" backmarks. Sewn black leather visor with an unfinished edge. Tan sweatband and brown cotton liner with a painted leather crown. This hat comes in a cardboard hatbox that reads on the top "Mrs. Alfred Steffin please handle with care. This historic hat given to me by Miss Mary Lee daughter of General R E Lee. Compliments of Mrs. L.P. Bondel (?)". The box has a label that reads "BRODT'S INC. WASH., D. C.". The box obviously post dates the hat by several years. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a round wooden box that protects the hatbox from further damage. CONDITION: the wool shows 3 minor moth holes and the bullion is quite tarnished. The chin strap is solid, though lightly flaked as is the visor. The sweatband is quite degraded with losses primarily in the front. The cotton liner is heavily sweat stained and the inner crown lining is quite crazed. The hatbox is quite degraded. (02-27192/BF). NON-GUN. $2,500-4,000.