Guest uptheblue Posted August 9, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 9, 2007 Hi Guys, Greetings from New Zealand. I have acquired 2x US hats that are out of my field of expertise.The Shako pictured & the Chapeau de Bras. I would appreciate information on the units they belonged to & rough period worn. Also a "guesstimate" of value.The Shako is missing a plume?? & has some mothing. The Chapeau was made in Kalamazoo Mich. clearly marked with makers logo. Thanks for help ( & your 2 fine Marine divisions (Leathernecks??) stationed here during WW2 keeping the Japs at bay...but i digress). Thanks Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpatrick Posted August 9, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 9, 2007 A picture of the interior of both pieces of head gear would be great. Also, could you give us the names of the manufacturers, just as they appear in the hat? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest uptheblue Posted August 9, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 9, 2007 Hi thanks. No makers name to inner shako , only large hand painted 28. Chapeau is made by the Henderson Aymes co. Kalamazoo Mich. Thanks Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpatrick Posted August 9, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 9, 2007 The shako looks to be post Civil War, probably 1880's, or later. It looks to be missing the visor as well. It would be best valued as a parts piece. The Chapeau looks quite nice. I need to locate my copy of Bazelon & McGuinn so that I can give you a date on the makers name, and when they were in business. Nonetheless, the chapeau is the star of the lot, even if it is post Civil War, which I believe that it is. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted August 9, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 9, 2007 Tim- The shako is for a military school. A Federal M1881 Helmet infantry plate was added to it. Many bands use this type plate on their headgear (including non-military bands). It's missing the visor. The Chapeau is very possibly for a masonic organization. I don't believe it's military. Value on either is rather low, as there isn't much collector interest in them. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpatrick Posted August 13, 2007 Share #6 Posted August 13, 2007 I am sorry for the delay in relaying the information that I had promised. According to "American Military Goods Dealers & Makers, 1785-1915", by Bazelon & McGuinn, page 123, the firm of "Henderson & Ames", (Not 'Aymes'), of Kalamazoo, MI, operated from 1893 to 1923, officially. This firm was formed in 1893 by consolidation of Frank Henderson Co., & the Chicago branch of the Ames Sword Co. Sparing you the detailed history of the company, which the book does offer, it can be summed up best by their last paragraph, which states: "Henderson-Ames dealt in & manufactured uniforms and all types of U.S. regulation equipment. It also was extensively in the military and society trade. Hamilton dates the Kalamazoo Regalia Co. 1927-1933." It would also be noteworthy to state that this firm, though disolved in 1923, continued the use of the company name, until 1926. I would agree that the chapeau was likely a fraternal hat - however, such hats have increased in value quite a bit in recent years, and I would certainly expect the chapeau to sell for a couple hundred dollars or more - since it does appear to be a quality piece. I have observed Masonic aprons sell for several thousand in recent years. As for the shako, I would not rule out militia use, since I have either seen, or owned, in the past, shako's of the exact same pattern, with different plates on the front. In excellent shape, which yours is not, would sell for around $125. Your example is best valued as a parts piece, and is worth perhaps $35-$40. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest uptheblue Posted August 13, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 13, 2007 Hi Thanks all good information.Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted August 13, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 13, 2007 The "military and society trade" was a term for companies that marketed mostly to plethora of fraternal organizations and societies that sprung up in the late 1800's and used military type uniforms, swords, etc. Based on what have seen regarding these so-called "the regalia houses," I believe that much of what they sold was not actually made by them but simply carried their brand (this is called "private branding"). However Henderson Ames did buy the Armstrong Regalia Co. so they likely produced much of what other retailers sold under private brands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted August 13, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 13, 2007 As for the shako, I would not rule out militia use, since I have either seen, or owned, in the past, shako's of the exact same pattern, with different plates on the front. In excellent shape, which yours is not, would sell for around $125. Your example is best valued as a parts piece, and is worth perhaps $35-$40. Chris How about the plate itself? If that's authentic, what are they worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpatrick Posted August 13, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 13, 2007 Dale Anderson Co., a militaria dealer that I have respected for many years, has this type plate listed at $45-$65 price ranges. He is noted for is fair prices. (Generally) "Henderson-Ames", if memory serves me correctly, made a few fraternal swords, and perhaps a few Indian War period military swords - I believe that I have seen a few of those swords with their motto in frosted relief. Of course, this would be because of their acquisition of the Ames Mfg. manufactory. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpatrick Posted August 13, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 13, 2007 Here is a link to his site - http://andersonmilitaria.com/Web_Pages/headgear/headgear.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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