Kepi Sweatband Leather?

[brimorse]

Greetings all,

I am trying to learn more about the leather used for sweatbands in Kepis and forage caps. Namely what is the stuff, and where do I buy it?

I performed a forum search here with no results. Tried a Google search with no results. Consulted the Columbia Rifles Compendium and learned the government placed orders for "sheep skin moroccan", a google search of same led to bookbinding sites with astronomical prices.

My Dirty Billy private purchase forage cap has a fine example of the material, so I know what it should be. Just not what to call it or where to find it.

Thank you in advance,

Brian Morse

[mike44thva]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

I know Tim Bender used to sell them, although not highly advertised. Another member of my unit bought 2 from him awhile back, I want to say for $5 each. Its basically leather that is "thinned", similar to books of the period that were bound with a leather "wrap". I have an 1862 Bible that has this leather "wrap". A good idea of the process is on Duvall's homepage. You could always contact Dirty Billy to see if he sells them on the side too.

Just my thoughts

Mike Barnes
44th VA / 25th OH

[ScottCross]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

I have always used bookbinding leather, it is thin and comes in a variety of colors and finishes. You will have to look at an original to try to match it, since there is a wide variety of colors and finishes used during the Civil War, depending on the maker, style, etc.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

My Dirty Billy private purchase forage cap has a fine example of the material, so I know what it should be.

Brian,

No offense meant to Dirty Billy, but it is preferable to look to original examples as the standard to compare modern materials against rather than other reproductions.

Paul McKee

[brimorse]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

I have always used bookbinding leather, it is thin and comes in a variety of colors and finishes. You will have to look at an original to try to match it, since there is a wide variety of colors and finishes used during the Civil War, depending on the maker, style, etc.

Thank you for your message Scott.

I guess I wasn't too far off the mark at those bookbinding sites! I am a far cry from a leather expert and thus needed a little guidance...

Best regards,

Brian Morse

[brimorse]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

Brian,

No offense meant to Dirty Billy, but it is preferable to look to original examples as the standard to compare modern materials against rather than other reproductions.

Paul McKee

Greetings Paul,

Thank you for your message, and I agree with you 100%.

I plan to travel to Indiana later this winter to (hopefully) view the Kepi in question. I was hoping to determine sources for the leather so I knew where to look once I knew exactly what I needed. The Dirty Billy cap was all I had at hand at the time!

Best regards,

Brian Morse

[Conley]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

Brian,With out much commentary - name-Upholstery Leather -price-about- $4.00 sq,ft. regards Conley Sluss

[brimorse]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

Thank you Conley! I appreciate the tip, I will check it out.

Brian Morse

[brimorse]

Re: Kepi Sweatband Leather?

Thank you Conley! I appreciate the tip, I will check it out.

Brian Morse