Officer's Cap Of The Belgian Civic Guard – Leopold II Period (circa 1870–1900)

A rare and historically significant Belgian Garde Civique officer’s kepi, dating from the reign of King Leopold II (1865–1909). This authentic kepi was part of the uniform of a commissioned officer in the Garde Civique—Belgium’s paramilitary civil guard force, disbanded at the outbreak of WWI in 1

• Original royal monogram badge: Embroidered crowned “L” cipher on black velvet, representing King Leopold II.

• Garde Civique buttons: Both side buttons feature the iconic lion rampant with the inscription “GARDE CIVIQUE”, symbolic of Belgium’s national identity.

• Double bullion braid cords with decorative knots—reserved for officer-grade kepis.

• Two horizontal gold braid bands encircling the kepi, denoting officer rank.

• Leather visor and partial original brown cloth lining i

• Structurally sound with no crushing or warping.

• Shows signs of age and wear consistent with a 19th-century artifact: minor fabric thinning, fraying at seams, and patina on buttons.

• Original cords, insignia, and trim remain securely attached, with no modern replacements or repairs noted on exterior feat

The Garde Civique was established in 1830 to maintain internal order and defend civic institutions. Officers like the one who wore this kepi played symbolic and practical roles in Belgium’s national identity throughout the 19th century. Kepis of this kind were privately tailored and issued only to a limited class of commissioned civic guards, making surviving examples extremely rare.