United States M1872 Federal Infantry Kepi
US M1872 Federal Infantry Kepi from the Indian Wars Period, This Federal Kepi has a dark blue wool body, a tarred bill sewn around the brim, a brown cotton liner with drawstring and leather sweatband marked "Horstmann Brothers & Co, Military Furnishers, Philadelphia" (Horstmann Brothers operated from 1859 to 1893. They had operations in both New York and Philadelphia).
A leather chinstrap with Federal "I" chinstrap buttons. On the top of the Kepi is a brass Hunting Horn which was the insignia for the Infantry, which lasted only two years before being replaced with Crossed Muskets in 1874. So this information dates this particular Kepi between 1872 - 1874.
A leather chinstrap with Federal "I" chinstrap buttons. On the top of the Kepi is a brass Hunting Horn which was the insignia for the Infantry, which lasted only two years before being replaced with Crossed Muskets in 1874. So this information dates this particular Kepi between 1872 - 1874.
The above picture is a print from 1872, showing the Horstmann Manufacturing building on 5th & Cherry Streets Philadelphia.
Above: An earlier period photo of Union Soldiers showing the Hunting Horn insignia on the top of the Kepi
