Correct Hardee Hat

[Boy of '61]

Was wondering what to look for in a correct Hardee Hat?

Thanks,

Andy

[Yellowhammer]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Correct materials, pattern and construction.

[Boy of '61]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Correct materials, pattern and construction.

Could you expand some more.

Andy, you must sign your full name to all posts here - Mike Chapman

[coffee boiler]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Its kind of hard to describe the quality of the black felt but it should be nice and stiff, about an 1/8" thick. The basic dimensions are 6 ¼” crown and a 3 ¼” brim with a double row of stitching around edge. You can pick up a good one from Tim Bender or Dirty Billy’s. S&S of Gettysburg also carries Bender hats.

Just out of curiosity, are you putting together a western, Iron Bridge or Regulars impression?

[CJDaley]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Its kind of hard to describe the quality of the black felt but it should be nice and stiff, about an 1/8" thick. The basic dimensions are 6 ¼” crown and a 3 ¼” brim with a double row of stitching around edge. You can pick up a good one from Tim Bender or Dirty Billy’s. S&S of Gettysburg also carries Bender hats.

Just out of curiosity, are you putting together a western, Iron Bridge or Regulars impression?

I wouldn't get tied down to those dimensions. I've seen original (issued and unissued) hats that were VERY thin and much thinner than 1/8" thick. I've also seen original hats that didn't come close to 6" high.

The mudsils put out an excellent article on the subject, but there is no substitute for actually going and looking at original hats, images of guys wearing hats and period sketches.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Hey Andy

You may want to do a search for dress hat or Hardee hat.

[markj]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Hi,

As memory serves, "Hardee hat" (Pattern of 1858) is a popular but factually incorrect term as only about 5,000 hats fitting that actual description were produced...and those dated to before the war. More information on "army hats" (the most common wartime term I've seen in letters, diary entries, etc.) can be found in the following work:

Howell, Edgar M. United States Army Headgear 1855-1902. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1975.

If you have trouble finding this title, we have it here at Purdue University and I can probably copy off the pertinent section.

For your perusal and edification, here is an image currently for sale on eBay that you will no doubt enjoy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2234729058&category=13960&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Hi,

As memory serves, "Hardee hat" (Pattern of 1858) is a popular but factually incorrect term as only about 5,000 hats fitting that actual description were produced...and those dated to before the war. More information on "army hats" (the most common wartime term I've seen in letters, diary entries, etc.) can be found in the following work:

Howell, Edgar M. United States Army Headgear 1855-1902. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1975.

If you have trouble finding this title, we have it here at Purdue University and I can probably copy off the pertinent section.

For your perusal and edification, here is an image currently for sale on eBay that you will no doubt enjoy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2234729058&category=13960&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

I love this; "U.S. Regulars were often uses as shock troops where the fighting was most fierce" :sarcastic

Andy, like Mark pointed out and like I said previously above Dress Hat or Army Hat or would be good items to search the site for.

[Boy of '61]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Its kind of hard to describe the quality of the black felt but it should be nice and stiff, about an 1/8" thick. The basic dimensions are 6 ¼” crown and a 3 ¼” brim with a double row of stitching around edge. You can pick up a good one from Tim Bender or Dirty Billy’s. S&S of Gettysburg also carries Bender hats.

Just out of curiosity, are you putting together a western, Iron Bridge or Regulars impression?

No, I use to by part of the 6th US, Company G but now part of the 1st Minn. Vol.

Thanks form the info,

Andy :)

Full name on every post please. JS Moderator.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

I wouldn't get tied down to those dimensions. I've seen original (issued and unissued) hats that were VERY thin and much thinner than 1/8" thick. I've also seen original hats that didn't come close to 6" high.

The mudsils put out an excellent article on the subject, but there is no substitute for actually going and looking at original hats, images of guys wearing hats and period sketches.

There is an original Dress Hat in Sacramento CA that is so thin that looks as though it is constructed out of black construction paper. I feel it is best go go with what has survived, the photographic/artistic record and the archelogical record. Rather than a strict reliance on what the regulations spelled out. I know this is a double edged sword, but it is what we have to go on.

[Gerkin]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Mr. Johnson,

I am still scratching my head thinking about why that fellow has a 3 AND a 16 on his hat. I can't think of anything. Any ideas?

[FortyRounder]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Mr. Johnson,

I am still scratching my head thinking about why that fellow has a 3 AND a 16 on his hat. I can't think of anything. Any ideas?

It probably refers to 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. The U. S. Army's "new" regiments authorized in 1861 (11th-19th) were supposed to consist of three battalions of 8 companies each, plus a regimental HQ stationed at a fort or depot. If memory serves, the battalions of a regiment were meant to serve as separate units in the field, not necessarily alongside each together (like the modern U. S. Army's battalions).

In reality, recruiting proved so difficult for the regulars during the war that the regiments had a hard time keeping three battalions in existence. An excellant source of information on this topic is "That Body of Brave Men" by Mark W. Johnson.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

Mr. Johnson,

I am still scratching my head thinking about why that fellow has a 3 AND a 16 on his hat. I can't think of anything. Any ideas?

3rd Battalion 16th US infantry. Kind of cool huh?

[kent-tax]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

What were the hats made out of? Beaver, bear, rabbit, or some other animal or a combination? A reputable hat dealer (one listed in this chain) once told me they used nutera (sic & a non-period term). (Nutera is a relative of the rat, found down south that has water proof fur)

[TheFenian]

Re: Correct Hardee Hat

What were the hats made out of? Beaver, bear, rabbit, or some other animal or a combination? A reputable hat dealer (one listed in this chain) once told me they used nutera (sic & a non-period term). (Nutera is a relative of the rat, found down south that has water proof fur)

The animal in question is a "Nutria" and is still found in the bayous and swamps of south Louisiana.

Bill Eiff