FINE CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE ENLISTED MAN’S KEPI OF SERGEANT MAJOR DAVID MARKS OF THE 17TH VIRGINIA

FINE CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE ENLISTED MAN’S KEPI OF SERGEANT MAJOR DAVID MARKS OF THE 17TH VIRGINIA

| 02-27451/BF |

This very fine example of a Civil War Confederate enlisted man’s kepi, worn by Sergeant Major David A. Marks of the 17th Virginia, was deaccessioned from the study collection of the Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. The crown of the kepi is of blue/gray wool, and the body as well as the band are of the same material. The rise in the front is 3 1/4″ and the rear rise measures 5 1/4″. The crown is approximately 5 3/8″ in diameter with a solid, likely paperboard, stiffener that cannot be inspected as it is completely covered. The interior of the kepi’s band is stiffened internally by a paperboard band. The visor is of black painted leather and has a machine sewn leather edging along its entire length. There is no chinstrap, however one of the side buttons remains intact. The button is a 14.5mm “cuff” size pre-war Virginia State Seal button (VA-14-Av) with a back mark that reads ” EXTRA QUAILTY “. The interior has a 1 1/4” thin, black painted cotton or linen sweatband hand sewn to the kepi and seamed at the rear. The lining of the kepi is tan polished cotton material. Sergeant Major Marks enlisted in the 17th Virginia on April 25th, 1861, and surrendered with General Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9th, 1865. He fought at First Bull Run and the Second, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and many more highly significant battles. The 17th was a very hard-fought regiment with a scant 2 officers and 46 men surrendering at Appomattox Court House of the 600 presents in 1862. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Service records of David A. Marks from private to Sergeant Major. Letter of Authenticity from noted TV personality, Rafael Eledge of Shiloh Relics. NON-GUN