Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a totally authentic American Civil War Confederate States Artillery Kepi which was manufactured in the Richmond Virginia Depot. Similar examples can be found in museums across the world including the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond Virginia and the American Civil War Museum which has a similar example.

This wonderful kepi is constructed from gray and red Kersey wool. During the mid-war period the largest mill in Virginia was the Crenshaw Woollen Mill in Richmond, which made "all wool goods". Another mill was the Danville Manufacturing Co. in Danville, Virginia. This firm also supplied "thousands of yards of Kersey" throughout the war. By 1863 the caps produced by the Richmond Depot had colored bands and crowns. Three existing caps at the museum of the Confederacy can be used as references. This exceptional kepi features a red band and crown with a gold French braid on top and cadet gray sides. The gray has unfortunately been feasted on by moths with many nips located throughout.

Due to the scarcity of leather by 1863, the flat visor is made from layers of thin card, which were glued together and covered in black painted cloth. The visor is not bound around the edges. The visor itself does appear to have been restitched at some point.

The lining appears to have been polished maroon cotton with a white crown, but the fading on the interior lining is rather significant. The leather sweatband is still present and mostly attached. There are signs of wear and staining but nothing too damaging.

Authentic Civil War Confederate kepis are exceptionally rare with most known examples currently residing in museums. This piece would be the focal point of any Civil War collection.