Hat with an emblem for a fraternal organization

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This flat wool cap with squared polished patent leather brim and a military insignia at center front is a non-military fraternal piece, possibly Masonic. A leather chin strap is buckled over the top of the cap, secured by a button on either side. A third metal button is at the center front. All three buttons appear to be made of brass. The device on the buttons and the metal insignia at center front is a hammer (proper right) crossing over a chisel (proper left). The background of the metal insignia is blue and red-and-white striped silk encircled first by a blue silk border and then a brassy ‘rope’. Two bands that appear to consist of silver-plated plaiting encircle the cap: one at the top ridge and one around the side of the cap just below the middle.

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