Jump to content

Model1859 USMC Officers Bullion Kepi Insignia Marine Corps


Recommended Posts

M-1859 USMC Officers Bullion Insignia for kepi. Missing olde English M. Appears to have paper back and once was sewn to headgear. Bullion is metal, supposing that's what it should be, not plastic. I know an original is very rare given there were few Marine officers during the ACW. Came from old collection. And no, I don't have my hopes up, thinking its legit, but always possibility. Hope not Paki, thoughts solicited.

post-153086-0-12182300-1471136928_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Leatherneck72

All the other horns he sold were either fantasy, or S&S copies, etc. I'm leaning towards the same on this one. I actually think I've seen this very one before many years ago. I think that some of the "older" collections had bad horns in them as space fillers simply because the real ones are very hard to find. Once the guys pass away, the oral history is lost as to where they came from, and they get sold as real.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a better possibility of it being a repop, but if so a well constructed one. I didn't bid, when it went unsold, offered $15 a took a chance. Doesn't conform to the plastic spacer Paki's though. A close maybe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris,

I saw this one and felt it a re-pop. Does it have small sequins under the lower part of the brocade for the horn rim? If so, you will find that they appear gold in color however you will also most likely find that they are plastic. I am not certain if original ones are even made with metal sequins. You can do a plastic check with a hot needle in a covered area. I feel it matches construction down to the wire of known reproductions with plastic sequins, very well done, but with a fatal flaw.

 

These brocade officer's hat insignia and the Marine "M"s are covered pretty thoroughly in Briuer's upcoming reference book.

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Mike, yes I do see what appear to be sequins underneath, not sure if originals had them in construction or not. Will do the needle test, if it proves painted plastic, it will be removed from the market forever. If more collectors did so, instead of trying to recover their investment, there would be less trash out there. Thanks for your response.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...