Wool Felt Hardee Hats?

[Crowley Greene]

I have thought that the Hardee hats were fur felt. However, this link supposedly shows an old *wool* felt Hardee with a price tag of $2875..

http://www.cowanauctions.com/past_sales_view_item.asp?ItemId=27163

Of course, I would hesitate to cite the written description of the hat as "authoritative." It could be an error.

Were there perhaps any wool felt Hardees?

Murray Therrell

[Crowley Greene]

Re: Wool Felt Hardee Hats?

Or, let me ask the question in a different way (after reading a discussion elsewhere in the forum that included mentions of "cheap" civilian wool felt hats):

The Hardee hats were undoubtedly made as military headgear by contractors, who would have produced the hats according to some sorts of precise specifications (coming from one who worked for some years for a military contractor).

Where might one find the government specifications for the felt for Hardee hats? I haven't hit on anything on the Internet, which is a better source for this type of research than any rural libraries in rural Arkansas.

Murray Therrell

[ScottCross]

Re: Wool Felt Hardee Hats?

Cowan's auction description is incorrect. The M1858 Uniform hat was manufactured of Fur felt, not wool, "four ounces of Russian Harre, carrated, and 1/2 ounce of the best Scotch Coney', according to the Quartermaster's contract with John G. Snyder on July 30, 1858. It is also stated in the 1861 Uniform Regulations.

[Crowley Greene]

Re: Wool Felt Hardee Hats?

Just what I was looking for Scott. Thank you! I kept hitting walls in my searches for precise material specifications.

Murray Therrell

[Crowley Greene]

Re: Wool Felt Hardee Hats?

Oh, and Scott, your past post on the M1858 hat is really excellent (I found it in search). Thanks for your research and the post.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8196&highlight=Hardee+ribbon