Hats

[theknapsack]

What were very common and/or popular Civilian Hats? I am in need of a hat, and I am looking for one that would fit my "attitude" and also be of a period style.
If anyone can help me out, I'd also like to know what would be most appropriate for a Western AotT and AoC impression. I'd like to see photographs of Illinois and Michigan soldiers in particular, and what type of hats/caps they wore. I have an original photo of one of the units I am in. If I can scan it, I need help trying to figure out what type of hats they were wearing. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,

[KentuckyReb]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Have you looked at Tim Bender's hats yet, or the Clearwater Hats site? Good civilian hats on there. I'm like you, looking for a civilian chapeau. Got a good kepi right now but I'm tired of gettin' my ears blistered and a good 'attitude hat' can really set off an impression.

[kemper_rifles]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

What were very common and/or popular Civilian Hats? I am in need of a hat, and I am looking for one that would fit my "attitude" and also be of a period style.
If anyone can help me out, I'd also like to know what would be most appropriate for a Western AotT and AoC impression. I'd like to see photographs of Illinois and Michigan soldiers in particular, and what type of hats/caps they wore. I have an original photo of one of the units I am in. If I can scan it, I need help trying to figure out what type of hats they were wearing. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,

Its not civilian but, if you're doing western federal, you mite consider a Hardee hat. You can make them into really nice slouch hats.

[Clark Badgett]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

One style that I've seen alot of is the "pork pie", and the low beehive, and the Hardee, and several others too numerous to list. Go to the library and look through all the picture books you can find, and you will find your answer. :)

[Alamo Guard]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

There are some wonderful pictures of men having their photo taken atop Lookout Mountain after the seige. Just look at the hats, you can glean alot of information from them.
Lastly look at your own impression, what were you before the war, how long on the war path, and your social status.
I agree 100 percent on the choices offered by the previous posters however.

[Jayhawk102]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Tim Bender makes a neat Mosby style hat. I got one this christmas and cant wait to use it on the battlefield.

[theknapsack]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Pork Pies fit my looks well, but Beehive hats would fit my impression. But, I am not sure to how common porkpies and how they would be available to a farmer.
The Problem with U.S. Dress Hats I have is, they weren't issued to either of the units I am in. I'd like to buy one for future impressions but I need a hat that will fit mine right now.
I shall consult pictures for now also.
What type of hats would famers be able to get, or what fits my impression best are good questions for myself and I'm going to have to figure that out. I have question though, The labels in Clearwater hats are they documented sellers of the period or not?
Thanks for all your replies and future ones,

[markj]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Hi,

Quick suggestion: Do a little research by cracking open several "coffee-table" books about the Civil War (Time-Life "silver series" volumes like "Twenty Million Yankees" would also be good) . These will incorporate numerous photographs and contemporary illustrations showing the vast number of different hat styles worn by citizens and troops. Also cruise the Library of Congress on-line photograph collection as has been done by others on this forum. The National Archives photo collection is also quite good--there are several photos showing individual companies of the 21st Michigan as they appeared circa 1864 while encamped around Chattanooga.

You will undoubtedly find something you like.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[theknapsack]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Thanks for the suggestion, Mark. I actually have been doing that, but I have lots of trouble defining what type of hats they are wearing.

[markj]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Greetings,

I feel your pain. As I'm sure many hat-makers will readily attest, it's very difficult at times to precisely categorize a lot of styles. Many hat styles were likely unique to specific makers and the result of personal preferences.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Riley,

Your studies of surviving images has no doubt revealed several things, first and foremost, that there wasn't any "one" style or shape of hat preferred over others. I think the pork pie is not a bad way to go at all. A set of works not yet mentioned that stand as some of my favorites are the "Portraits of Conflict" series. You may want to dig through those.

Forage caps are right common but the Western Feds absolutely had a penchant for something with a brim. The pork pie is fairly identifiable and I've seen a good number of them pictured. Another hat is the "Stevenson" style reproduced by Marse Bender. Tim refers to that as an officers hat, which many officers indeed did sport, but I can think of several images of Sherman's boys wearing these in great numbers, particularly in the summer of '64. One of the Library of Congress images entitled "Barnard's Developing Tent Outside Atlanta" shows this very well. A cursory glance shows a good 9 or 10 "Stevenson" style hats, about 4 pork pies, and a couple other low crown, short brim slouches. Nary a kepi or forage cap in the lot.

One other thing, when you say you want a hat that will "fit your attitude" be wary of picking a hat simply for how well it may flatter you. Rather, pick a known style and personalize it a bit. In the afore-mentioned image, every man wears his hat differently on his head, some back and high on the head, others low over the eyes, some cocked at a rackish angle. Others have shaped and formed the bills, brims, and crowns to personalize them. I think that is the better/more PEC approach to the "fit your attitude" question.

Hope this helps. Curt gives a good hat talk. Maybe he'll share some thoughts soon...

Kind regards,

Fred Baker

[theknapsack]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Mr. Baker,

Thank you for your excellent post. What I meant by "fit my attitude" is exactly what you said about the personalization. I will keep looking.

Thanks,

[markj]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Greetings,

Here's a nice image you might enjoy. This allegedly depicts Company H, 44th Indiana Volunteer Infantry although there has been some debate about the precise ID (some claim it's a company of the 21st Michigan). Date of the photo is sometime in 1863 or 1864.

All in all, a very nice "cross-section" of different hat styles used by Western Feds. Source is the National Archives.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[BorderRuffian]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

type of hats would famers be able to get, or what fits my impression best are good questions for myself and I'm going to have to figure that out. I have question though, The labels in Clearwater hats are they documented sellers of the period or not?
Thanks for all your replies and future ones,[/QUOTE]

Hello,
I just received a low beehive hat from Clearwater I am very happy with.The label inside says "James G. Gibbes Waterproof Hats Columbia South Carolina" I don't know if this is a period documented hatter or not,perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I can answer that one.

YOS,

Forrest Peterson

[Amtmann]

Re: Common Civilian Hats

Just picked up a Pork Pie from Tim Bender at the Civilian Conference. I'm very happy with it. :D I won't give Clearwater any business (personal reasons).