PATTERN 1895 FORAGE CAP OIL CLOTH COVERS – RARE EXAMPLES:  Offered here are two rarely encountered accessories for the Pattern 1895 Forage Cap worn during the Spanish American War period by officers and enlisted men alike.  Each cover is described below with accompanying photographs. 

PATTERN 1895 FORAGE CAP OIL CLOTH RAIN COVER – RARE  EXAMPLE:  As pictured on page 119 of Langellier’s HATS OFF, Head Dress of the U.S. Army, 1872-1912, this Oilcloth Rain Cover for the Pattern 1895 Forage Cap has survived the years in excellent condition.   

Sensitive to poor storage, extremes of temperature, and dry rot, this oil cloth material seldom survives in any condition at all, and that this example survived with the enameled finish intact is remarkable.  These covers rarely appear on the market.   

With all of the seams intact and with no tears or holes, this cloth cover is full form.  The oil coating to the cloth is fully intact with none of the crazing or cracking that often happens to this kind of material in storage.  The dark blue bias tape band is still fully intact and present on the inside of the lower edge and up the back seam.  The material remains pliable and the cover would display quite nicely on a Pattern 1895 Forage Cap.    

This is a scarce offering and this Pattern 1895 Forage Cap Rain Cover would be a nice addition to a collection of 19^Th Century US Army headwear and uniforms.  (0922)  $200

PATTERN 1895 FORAGE CAP BLACK COTTON COVER:  I found three of these black cotton covers for the Pattern 1895 Forage Cap in the same box as the oil cloth rain covers listed above.  While I have been unable to find any reference to these covers and they are not marked in any way, from the shape and size, they were no doubt intended for the Pattern 1895 Cap.   

Given the army’s practice of masking buttons and other insignia in black crepe during a funeral or any other occasion when demonstrating a period of mourning, I suspect that these covers were intended for just that purpose.  They would have been worn by officers to cover the bright gilt insignia on their forage cap in a sign of respect for the deceased. 

The material is light weight, not substantial enough for every day wear over a long period of time, and the type of material which would be practical for this limited sort of use.   

The black material is lined in a sky blue lightweight cotton.  There must have been some sort of label or ink stamp in the center of the crown which was intentionally cut out for some unknown reason.  Perhaps it was a mark that identified this cover to a specific officer at one time.     

I’ve never seen these covers offered on the market before, but as I noted above they were found in the context of the known rain covers and there is no doubt they were intended for use with the same hat. 

This cover would display quite nicely with your Pattern 1895 Forage Cap and make for an interesting conversation piece. (0932)  $60

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