U.S. 1864 Light Artillery Shako. Dark blue wool covered body with black, hard-leather crown and tarred 1 ¼-inch black leather band around the base. Unbound, thick leather visor. Stamped brass spread-wing eagle plate mounted on the front. Interior with 1 ¾-inch brown morocco leather sweatband. Near-perfect circular green label on inside crown marked "3 / Horstmann Bros. & Co. / Manufacturer of / Military Goods / Fifth and Cherry Sts. / Philadelphia." Two crossed-cannon artillery buttons mounted near the crown on each side where normally the aiguillette suspension loops would be.

Condition: Good to very good considering the condition of extant examples. Retaining approximately 65-70% blue wool, which is rather good for existing examples of this scarce piece of headgear. Most of the lacking wool covering is on the wearer's left, so the shako will display nicely from the right side. Lacking the chinstrap, chinstrap buttons and plume holder.