US ARMY CAVALRY BAND MUSICIAN BUSBY - IN USE BY
THE FRONTIER ARMY BANDS DURING THE INDIAN WAR ERA – A
VERY STRIKING CAVALRY UNIFORM ITEM NOT COMMONLY
ENCOUNTERED – EXCELLENT SPECIMEN WITH ITS ORIGINAL
JAPANNED METAL CANISTER:
While not one of the
regulation uniform hats or helmets, there exists ample
record that this Band Musician’s Busby was proudly worn
by the Indian Wars era mounted musicians, in this case
the cavalry.
There had been a long standing
practice in the 19TH Century U.S. Army of
embellishing the band uniforms beyond what was
considered regulation. Regimental commanders were
allowed to “make such additions of ornaments” to their
musicians’ uniforms, with the limitation that these
additions were not to be paid for from the annually
appropriated uniform allotment funds. It is unknown how
many regiments of the regular army and state militia
units outfitted their bands in these busbies, however
there is no doubt these fancy fur hats, trimmed in the
branch color and in a style consistent with the
decorations on the Model 1881 Dress Helmets, saw more
than isolated use.
Documenting the presence on the
western frontier and the use of busbies by regular army
bands, these period images, ca. 1890’s, captured two
musicians of the 2ND US Cavalry Regiment Band
mounted on their horses in the same paddock area of Fort
Wingate, New Mexico Territory. Both men wear busbies,
presumably trimmed in yellow in keeping with the color
of trim used on other cavalry uniforming.
2ND
US CAVALRY REGIMENT MUSICIANS
FT.
WINGATE, NEW MEXICO TERRITORY
“Busby” is the English term for the distinctive
headdress normally associated with European Hussar
mounted units which came to wide use by the armies of
the Napoleonic period. The name is generally applied to
a cylindrical fur cap having a bag of colored cloth
attached in such a manner as it could be filled with
sand and draped over the right shoulder as a defense
against sabre cuts. One explanation for the origin of
the name “Busby” seems to make the most sense – the
British hussar cap of the early 19TH Century
was named after the hatter who supplied the officer’s
version of the cap – W. Busby of the Strand, London.
All that being said, another reference provided that
“Busby” has been a common male name of English origin
which translates from the Old English as “shrub farm” –
an association that seems possible given the appearance
of the cap.
This Indian Wars Era United States Army Cavalry Band
Busby presents in excellent condition. The fur is
completely intact with no loss of hair or bald spots.
The yellow wool cap crown and distinctive side “bag” are
complete with no separation or loss, and the material
retains a bright vibrant color. There is some minor
moth tracking on the surface of the wool, but there are
no holes, other damage or soiling. The bag retains the
correct wool covered button. The cap is decorated with
the complete set of worsted wool yellow cords, still in
the original braid and with the wool cord covered toggle
intact. As it appears in the photographs below, this
toggle is engaged in a retention loop at the top edge of
the side of the cap. When worn, this toggle would be
let down to fasten through a loop in the chest cords on
the soldier’s uniform coat, securing the cap to the
soldier’s person should the cap be knocked off his
head.
The Busby is decorated on the front with a black
velveteen oval bearing the letter “A” and surrounded by
gold bullion cord. Below the oval is a set of original
Pattern 1851 Cavalry crossed sabres, still full form
with no misshaping and having a naturally aged even
patina. There is a Model 1881 Cavalry Dress Helmet side
button mounted on each side of the cap, from which
depends the brass interlocking-ring chin strap. The
brass rings are all intact with no loss and they are
still attached to the supporting leather strap. The
straps show evidence of use and having been worn,
however both are full length with no particular weak
points, and the buckle and original leather tip are both
intact.
The black horse hair plume, the same plume as shown in
the 2ND Cavalry Band photographs above, is
full form and still tightly bound with no loss of hair.
The black color of the hair and the wool cord wrapping
is still vibrant, the wrapping shows no wear or fraying,
and the brass mounting loop is intact and tightly
attached.
The reddish brown leather combination sweat band/crown
support is in excellent condition as is the lining of
the crown. The leather shows no wear, staining or other
signs of extensive use or wear, and the original
adjustment draw cord is fully intact. The black crown
lining is similarly intact, showing no sign of age or
wear, with a fully legible embossed silver colored
maker’s mark applied around the integral air vent in the
crown.
The Busby is complete with the japanned enameled tin
canister. The canister is full form with no significant
dents, open seams, or other damage and it retains the
full enameled finish, with the only wear appearing on
the bottom of the canister, caused by shelf wear. The
lid functions properly, the carrying handle is firmly
attached and intact, as is the latch on the front of the
canister. The plume holder is present on the inside of
the lid and it is likewise solidly attached and full
form. The lid bears the embossed maker’s tag.
Overall, this is an especially
striking Indian Wars era Cavalry Band
Busby which has
survived in excellent
condition. Whether displayed with other Indian Wars
Cavalry Band material or added to a US Army headgear
display, this Busby will be a significant addition to
your collection.
SOLD
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