8x18x7.5" tall hinged tin box. c. 1896. Box has brass handle/latch (missing keeper)/1" dia. nameplate reading "Wm. H. Horstmann Company/Philadelphia." 50% paint with gold/red accents remains. Although box shows outside surface wear, box remains sturdy, structurally sound and Fine. Top reads "H.W.G./U.S.N." Unknown officer's initials. Contents would indicate rank of Captain or above. Well made, elaborate hat with gold luster braided accents on each end. 1.5" wide gold luster bands accent side of hat crown. Black fabric accents. Light aging inside hat, o/w hat is VF. A brass frame holds hat and epaulettes in place within the storage box. Each epaulette is 7" long. 5.5" wide, with 3" long braided gold luster wire accents. Silver luster anchor and eagle appear on top of padded gold fabric. A 5/8" dia. brass button with eagle holding anchor is also attached to epaulette top. Each epaulette is finely made as if it were done by a master craftsman. Underside of each has brass structure and "Right/Left" designations appear along with stylized "HE" markings. Although all braided accents are included, a few strands are loose on one epaulette. Overall epaulettes and hat remain VF.