Original Early Indian Wars Model 1872 U.S. Army “2nd Artillery” Issue Kepi Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. With the end of the Civil War, western expansion was again started in earnest. As the post war army re-garrisoned the west, along with the cavalry and infantry, came the artillery. Of course artillery had played a part from the earliest exploration of the west. The 12 pounder mountain howitzer was in wide use and field guns had played a part in several campaigns.

As the army entered this new phase of operations against the Indians, artillery was to see use across the frontier and in most of the campaigns. Often the guns were manned by men of the cavalry or infantry. However, in a number of campaigns the guns were manned by men of the artillery regiments.

This is an excellent example of an early Indian War Model 1872 U.S. Army Regulation Kepi worn by an enlisted man. This U.S. Army Model 1872 Kepi features fabric of dark blue wool broadcloth, with a painted leather visor, Moroccan leather sweatband, with Brown polished cotton lining in the crown. The crown stands 3″ high at the front, 4 3/4″ at the rear seam and the top is 5 1/2″ in diameter. The body of the cap meets a band of wool seamed only at the back and stiffened with leather.

Many dealers would sell this cap as an original Civil War era piece, as the early Indian War M-1872 Kepis are very similar to those made and issued during the American Civil War. This is a great cap, which shows signs of honest period wear, and wear from decades in storage. Overall condition is very nice, size is approximately a US 7.