Officer’s “Rifleman” Insignia

Description

Officer’s “Rifleman” Insignia

This insignia features an embroidered bugle with tasseled cord. The Riflemen’s insignia looks like a true bugle as opposed to the rounder French horn used by the Civil War infantry. Background is black felt which has been trimmed to very near the outside perimeter of the bullion bugle. Gold bullion thread forming the bugle remains tight and perfect with uniform dark tarnish. Back of patch is covered with original cotton material with stitch work visible. No attachment hooks.

The upright trumpet as the insignia for the US regiment of mounted riflemen was officially adopted in 1850, but was short-lived for wear by enlistedmen, who were soon ordered to wear just their company letter on their caps, while officers retained their embroidered versions. This changed with the adoption of the M1858 Army Hat (the “Jeff Davis” or “Hardee” hat,) with enlisted men authorized a tall, stamped brass trumpet insignia like this, which remained regulation until the redesignation of all US Army mounted units simply as cavalry in 1861. The insignia, however, saw wide use by rifle companies is state militia during the period who liked the romanticized, independent portrayals of riflemen versus “infantrymen of the line” in the popular culture and there was enough demand for Horstman to include the insignia in his 1851 catalog. 

In the US Army these were to be worn upright. In militia units they might be worn horizontally, the choice apparently often dictated by the style of headgear. The form of the trumpet differed somewhat by maker and over time. 

An exceptional hat insignia.

Inventory Number: INS 451