Civil War U.S. Navy Ensign Insignia Shoulder Boards and Matching Embroidered Hat Insignia 

Description

Civil War U.S. Navy Ensign Insignia Shoulder Boards and Matching Embroidered Hat Insignia 

 

Wonderful matching set of Civil War-period United States Navy ensign insignia, consisting of a pair of shoulder straps accompanied by an embroidered officer’s hat device, all displaying remarkably consistent construction, materials, and age. 

 

The shoulder straps are constructed on dark navy wool with heavy bullion borders and embroidered fouled anchors, the regulation insignia associated with the rank of Ensign. The bullion has mellowed naturally with age, retaining excellent definition while showing the untouched oxidation and surface expected from genuine wartime insignia. 

 

Accompanying the straps is a particularly attractive bullion embroidered naval hat insignia, worked on matching dark wool. The device incorporates a fouled anchor surrounded by an elaborate wreath of oak leaves and acorns, executed in fine metallic bullion. The embroidery remains unusually well defined, with individual leaves, veins, and portions of the anchor readily visible. 

 

Individual naval shoulder straps or hat devices occasionally appear independently, but finding a pair of ensign straps accompanied by the corresponding embroidered headgear insignia is considerably more desirable. Their matching patina, materials, and construction give the set tremendous visual integrity. 

 

An exceptionally attractive and increasingly difficult-to-find Civil War U.S. Navy junior officer insignia set, preserved with the honest wear. 

 

 

Inventory Number: INS 470