Federal dress hat question

[jmbyrnes]

All,

A buddy of mine is currently working on a federal dress hat blank for me. After several attempted searches on the web and this site I can't find what I'm looking for. I've been trying to locate several examples of soldiers wearing hardee hats. I have been able to find the well-known Lookout Mountain picture, but I was hoping that somebody knew of several other examples. When I finally get the hat I'd like to have a photo of a soldier wearing the hat, so I can use it to model mine after.

[brown]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Sometimes they are a bit tricky to pinpoint because (esp if the man his reshaped it at all) it can be difficult to say 100% whether the hat(s) in the photo are civilian or "Hardees."
On a quick scan of my Echoes of Glory, Union, I'm thinking pages 294, 218, 204, 187,184, 150, 124(a before mentioned Sunset Rock picture on Lookout Mountain), 113, 108, 69(?), 66, 64, 56, 47, 8(yet another Lookout shot, full of variety, parts of 2 regimetns may be present based on the previous campaign). Now this book shows a lot of hat brass and even more forage caps throughout. Is that b/c it was that way, photographers preferred these shots, men preferred to pose this way, more photographers in the Eastern theater, or any form of selection bias on behalf of the EoG editors?
Hope this helps, with a few seated posed shots included.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Hallo!

It may help if you share your vision of the final look?

Meaning, there is the dress hat as made and issued, as modified by the owner in terms of telescoping, sugar-loafing, creasing, punching in/punching out, etc., etc., and lastly the former after the effects of use and wear.

Are you looking for images of lads for what variety they have done to their dress hats I take it?

Curt

[jmbyrnes]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Curt,

I'm looking for a wide scope of examples showing me how the hats were shaped. I'm planning to portray a western soldier. I plan on beating up the hat a good bit, so I'm looking for a photo preferably of a veteran soldier with a well-worn hat that I can copy. I hope that helps.

[jmbyrnes]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Lindsey,

I've got the book, and didn't think of consulting it. Thanks.

[18th us regulars]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Are you in the west or the east when you will be wearing this ?

[sigsaye]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Curt,

I'm looking for a wide scope of examples showing me how the hats were shaped. I'm planning to portray a western soldier. I plan on beating up the hat a good bit, so I'm looking for a photo preferably of a veteran soldier with a well-worn hat that I can copy. I hope that helps.

Jared, one thing you might want to consider is just getting a hat and wearing it. I got a wonderful Bender '58, and just stuck it on my head. It has ben sweated in, rained on, steped on, slept in and on (got squashed flat that time), knocked in the dirt, and used to fan fires. The crown always poped back into shape, and the brim took on a really nice curl in the front as it shaped itself to my head.

No brass on mine. Just a personal preferance as I spent many years shinning the stuff, so avoid it as much as possible. If the event called for it, I would scrounge some up and do the deed, but haven't needed it yet. Same with a cord. I like those, but just never bothered with one. With the beating the hat has taken over the years, I don't think it would have lasted very long any way.

Steve Hesson

[ThehosGendar]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Jared,

Here are a few Hardees for you from just outside Hatlanta (haw!haw!), in 1864, from the images LC-DIG-cwpb-03400 and LC-DIG-cwpb-03401, "Atlanta, Georgia. Sherman's men in Confederate fort east of Atlanta."

Enjoy!

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Hallo!

I would add the 1863 image of Lts. Tourgee, Wallace, and Morgaridge, of the 105th OVI:



Curt

[jdanner723]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Hey Jared,
Wondering if you are portraying the Iron Brigade or not. Here is a nice original that I attempted to model my hat after. I portray the 7th Wisconsin so I would imagine the unit you portray would have some kind of impact as to the way you would like to present your hat.



Joey Danner

[jdanner723]

Re: Federal dress hat question

Hey Jared,
My last message didn't post but I think I know why. Anyway, are you portraying a regiment of the Iron Brigade or another western regiment? Presentation of your hat may ride on something as small as this as the Iron Briade was almost continually issued hat brass at various points throughout the war. That's why I've constructed my hat to look something like this. Hope this helps.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...off%26s a%3DN

There are many other examples of regiments such as the 7th Wisconsin wearing a lot of hat brass at various periods during the war if you know where to look.

Joey Danner