Militaria

RARE FRENCH SEAMAN'S HAT 

Formed from boiled cardboard and bathed in tar to make it waterproof, this is a very rare exemple from French maritime history.

The hat has a tin tricolour cockade to the left side and a fouled anchor insignia to the front.  There is some sign of a lining having been present (now missing).  In very good condition and retaining it's original shape.  There does not appear to be any sign of any other insignia ever having been fitted.  A very rare survivor from the mid 19th century.