Civil War Officer’s High-Grade Hat Cord with Netted Slide and Gilt Acorns / SOLD

Description

Civil War Officer’s High-Grade Hat Cord with Netted Slide and Gilt Acorns

A fine, regulation Civil War officer’s hat cord, constructed of tightly woven brown/bronze worsted strands with its original netted central slide and a matched pair of gilt-finished acorns. The acorns exhibit the high-relief cross-hatched casing and elongated stems characteristic of officer-quality examples, rather than the plain enlisted style more commonly encountered.

Hat cords of this pattern were worn on both the Hardee (Jeff Davis) hat and privately purchased slouch hats, serving as an immediate visual indicator of rank and branch of service. Brown or “dark bronze” cords were typically associated with staff officers and certain volunteer officer corps, though privately purchased variations were widespread in the field.

This example survives in excellent condition, the cord retaining strong color and minimal fraying, with both acorns well preserved and the netted slider intact—features seldom encountered together after 160 years. A superior accessory for display on an officer’s hat or within a grouping.

Inventory Number: UNI 205