French 1880's NCO Rigid Style Kepi, 88th Regiment

Original period manufacture. Rigid body of white wool felt with a madder red top and blue wool band. Halfmoon shaped leather visor with a very tall leather sweatband (reaches nearly to the interior of the crown) with a circular leather disc secured by a bone button. There are two red painted ventilators, one on each side, with a handstitched regiment insignia at front. It may have had a chinstrap at one point as I can see holes where buttons were sewn. The blue piping may be an old replacement but looks OK for now. Cool old hat, would have kept this but a bit later than our 2nd Empire time period.