Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is one of the most tremendous and prestigious pieces of American headgear we have ever offered, dating between the Federal Period (1790) and the War of 1812, a Light Dragoon Cap, otherwise referred to as a Jockey or “Tarleton” Cap. Derived from the visored, protective caps of leather (often velvet-covered) favored by huntsmen and postillions during the 18th century, bearskin-crested 'jockey caps' were first introduced in 1776 to replace the brass or japanned, sheet iron helmets earlier worn by British light dragoons. Quickly adopted by their American counterparts, they later became known as 'Tarleton' caps after Banastre Tarleton, the controversial British officer who commanded the British Legion, a corps of green-jacketed, Loyalist troopers that wore such headgear during the Revolutionary War.

The Tarleton cap remained the most popular form of cavalry headdress in the post-war United States, worn by the cavalry (and later artillery) of the U.S. Army during the 1790s and by the majority of the volunteer troops of horse raised and still in service at the beginning of the War of 1812. Such caps were usually trimmed with a turban of soft leather, cloth, silk or velvet (as in this case), which originally was intended to be let-down in bad weather to cover the shoulders, but soon was relegated to a more decorative role. The turbans were usually made in the color of the unit's facing color, or sometimes the body color of the uniform.

This fine example of a Tarleton cap or helmet has a scarlet velvet turban, trimmed with silver cord running in a zig-zag pattern from small, silvered-brass buttons. The interior of the leather crown is backed with a yellow paper glued down to it and that, a linen hatband 5 inches wide. There is a linen-covered pad for the forehead area sewn over the liner or hatband in front, approximately 11 inches long and 3 inches high, which shows evidence of heavy sweat-staining over the past two centuries. The two-piece crown and visor are all made of a stout, "jacked" leather strong enough to resist most sword cuts, although it is now showing some very heavy cracking.

The visor is 2 1/2 inches broad in front and the cap is 8 inches high measured from the side directly behind the visor, including the crest (1 inch high at that, its tallest point). As mentioned there is heavy cracking in the leather, but it is not currently losing any material, and is in truly phenomenal condition for its age. As with the majority of surviving light dragoon caps from this period, the leather crest or roach, usually about 3-4 inches wide, running front to back, no longer survives, although it could be easily replaced with some work. The stitching on the existing comb is very beautiful and eminent of the period, however, and really ties the piece together for display. There is some los of material in spots to the velvet turban, but the amount which is retained is truly astounding for its age. You would likely only find one of these as the cap itself, as the intricate zig-zag patterning of the turban would not have survived in the majority of cases. This is likely one of the most well-preserved dragoon headgear pieces from this period.

There are many gorgeous pieces of American headgear from the Federal & War of 1812 Period, the majority of which you’d never have the opportunity to see in person. This is an incredibly scarce opportunity to add one to your collection, one which has been meticulously preserved and protected for the past 200 years. Comes ready for further research and display.

Regiment of Light Dragoons (United States)

Under the designation Regiment of Light Dragoons existed two different units of the U.S. Army in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, respectively. A first unit of its name was short lived, established just prior the Quasi-War with France, in 1798 and discharged in 1800.

The second unit under this designation was activated in 1808. During the War of 1812, it was temporarily designated as the 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons when the War Department created an additional similar regiment. On May 12, 1814, the additional regiment was consolidated with the 1st Regiment, which reverted to its unnumbered designation. The regiment was consolidated with the Corps of Artillery on May 17, 1815.

The very first unit of the U.S. Army designed as Light Dragoons was a single Squadron of Light Dragoons, assigned to the Legion of the United States, by September 1792.

All these units followed the model of the British Regiments of Light Dragoons that were established in the 1750s.