[CIVIL WAR]. A Pair of New Hampshire officer's Hardee hat insignia.

3 1/2 x 2 3/8 in. 1858 variant officer's insignia, New Hampshire insignia, gold bullion wreath and silver "NH" embroidered on black velvet, with twisted wire border, mounted to tin plate with cotton backing, two mounting hooks (very minor tarnish to billion, some loss of pile to velvet, cotton starting to separate form plate). Old collection number ("6747") painted in red to cotton.

Beginning in 1851, several states began adopting the Army's 1851 general staff insignia pattern except replacing the "U.S." for state letters. In 1858, the practice continued in line with the 1858 pattern, with the gold bullion embroidered to velvet. Here is an example of a New Hampshire officer's badge with "NH" in place of "US."

[With:] 2 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. 1858 pattern officer eagle hat insignia, gold bullion and silver stars embroidered on black velvet oval, twisted brass wire border, tin back plate with cotton backing, mounting hook (some tarnish, losses to velvet pile, lacking one backing hook). Old collection number ("6748") painted in red to cotton.

Provenance: James Frasca Collection (related by consignor).


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann