Although a number of bell crown caps of the general 

 period 1820-1835 are in existence, the cap illustrated 

 (figs. 17-19) is one of only two of the many examined 

 which do not carry typical militia embellishment and 

 which generally conform to regulations. Well made of 

 black-painted leather, the specimen is 6 inches high 

 measured at the side, the top 10 inches in diameter, 

 visor 2 inches wide and nearly vertical."' The rear of 

 the cap is slightly pointed o\er the nape of the neck 

 and has a 1 inch strip of leather running around it 

 from the terminals of the \isor. The leather cockade 

 at the top of the front is the regulation 1 /a inches and 

 carries the prescribed line eagle button, with the letter 

 "A" on the shield."" The eagle front plate conforms 

 to regulations.'"' Both eagle and button appear to be 

 original to the cap. The "band," actually a plaited 

 cord, is also believed to be original. The chin scales 

 and tassel are mi-ssing. The means of attachment for 

 the scales — plain brass buttons with their shanks to the 

 outside of the cap — remain in place. In the center of 

 the visor at its base is a small, two-pronged brass piece 

 on which the scales rested. The sweatband is of patent 

 leather and has an upper band of can\as fitted with 

 drawstrings. The cap carries no maker's label and no 

 inspector's mark. Complete with the oil cloth or painted 

 linen cover issued with it, pompon, band and tassel, 

 cockade and eagle, and cap plate, it cost $3.01, the 

 cap alone $1.50, in contrast to the 1813-1821 model 

 priced at $1.95 in 1817.'" Officers' caps of the new 



pattern were furnished complete by George Armitage 

 at a cost of $8.50.'' The entire army was equipped 

 with this cap by early 1823 when the old pattern was 

 turned in.'" 



The other specimen examined, in the collections of 

 the Historical Society of Old Newbury, Newburyport, 

 Massachusetts, is almost identical to that illustrated, 

 and carries very similar "bands" to both front and rear 

 as well as the prescribed brass chin scales. It also carries 

 in the crown the maker's label, "H. Cressman, 136 No. 

 Eighth St. Phila." 



Figure 18.— Bell Crown Cap, 1821-1832. 



Figure 17.— Bell Crown Cap, 1821-1832. 

 20 



Figure 19.— Bell Crown Cap, 1821-1832. 



