Mexican War Artillery-Crossed Cannons Cap Insignia

An original Artillery hat insignia used into the Mexican War and even early Civil war era. These are the Large, Pre-Civil War Crossed Cannons.  It is the 1834 pattern and measures 3 1/2 inches wide.  There are 4 wire fasteners soldered on the reverse side.  This die-struck brass insignia is in excellent condition, very bright and features two embellished cannon barrels crossed just above the trunnions with muzzles pointing upward.  Measuring from the junction, the muzzle ends were shorter than the breech ends.  Prominently positioned in the center are curved "dolphins" representing the two handles cast on the top of the antique cannon barrels for hand carrying.  See Figure 255 (pg. 119) in American Military Headgear Insignia by Campbell and O'Donnell.  This insignia is from the collection of James Hart.