C.W. NAVY FLAT HAT ~ ORIGINAL & EXTREMELY RARE

Description

This original US Navy flat hat is in absolute pristine condition with no mothing or repairs.  These original period flat hats are 100x rarer than Civil War kepis or slouch hats.
These caps during the period were issued in a very limited quantity.  Some, like this one, had decorative hand embroidery on the top of the hat.  This would have been done either by a talented sailor or by a professional seamstress.  They were certainly never issued this way.  The top on this one has an elaborate compass rose or 8 pointed star which covers almost the entire top of the hat and it is made of gold bullion thread which over 150 years has darkened.  Inside of the cap is completely lined with a beautiful blue and white checkered cotton fabric.  Cap has its original silk side ribbon.  In 50 years of collecting I have never seen two naval hats that had similar embroidery so that this hat is truly one of a kind.  This hat is certainly one of the best you will ever see for its design and condition.  See photos for best idea of item and condition.  Questions welcomed.
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