Brown Leather Visors on CS Kepis?

[marylandmarine]

Hello all,

This is my first post on here so please try not to harp on my ignorance too much!

I am building my Confederate Eastern Theater impression and one item that I purchased was a jean cloth Kepi with a dark brown, leather brim. There is a lot of visible hand stitching, cotton liner, with a leather sweatband and I think that it looks like a pretty quality item (I've owned numerous sutler row hats and this blows them out of the water). Hindsight is now catching up with me and I wonder the wisdom in buying a hat without researching more first (smacking my head now). So, this is a little post-buying research. I have searched the threads on here and haven't found anything that discusses my questions and have searched online at the great hat vendors and haven't found answers to my questions. Additionally, I've looked through my EOG and haven't seen examples of my kepi so I am turning to the authenticity experts on here for help. My question is: what are some examples of Confederate soldiers having kepis with brown/dark brown leather brims? I have seen numerous examples of what appear to be pasteboard and blackened leather but not natural brown or dark brown leather. I have included a link to two pictures I took of the kepi for you all to look at and critique. Thanks for your input in advance, I appreciate it.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tony Manson

Photobucket Link: http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/amanson2/

[packrat]

Re: Brown Leather Visors on CS Kepis?

Hey! Tony,,,, look at your EOG again , CS of course, theres one for sure, and if I remember possibly another, I recall a tan or Wheat jean material involved.... hope it helps... Regards the other new guy....
yhs
paul Lopes

[fahnenschmied]

Re: Brown Leather Visors on CS Kepis?

I don't know offhand of any original examples with brown brims, but some of the photos I have saved show a less than jet black finish. Probably they were quite black when new. I know nothing really, but I do know that some dye will fade on some leather over the years. It is always a problem in replicating things - do you make an exact match of how something looks now, or what it would have looked like new?

[GarrettG1993]

Re: Brown Leather Visors on CS Kepis?

I think the one you are remembering from EOG is the A.A. Crews kepi, which I do believe has a brown leather visor. If my memory suits me it's a Army of the Tennessee cap.

Regards,
Garrett Glover

[marylandmarine]

Re: Brown Leather Visors on CS Kepis?

Wow, I must be losing it! I'll check again tonight in my old EOG. Thanks, that at least gives me something to work with. I'm pretty happy with it, I just want to be able to confirm that it isn't farby or in-accurate.