Hardee plume attachment

[GAR]

I noticed on page 106 in "Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Union" that the plume on the Hardee hat is attached to a circular cloth or leather disk with a brass button. Does anyone have any info on this?
Gary

[GAR]

Re: Hardee plume attachment

Upon further research, I find that the plumes are sewn to a black cloth double ruffle cockade and attached to the hat cord by either a state or branch coat cuff button. I've not seen this done in reenacting but it sure beats tucking the plume(s) under the hat cord. Here's a good example of what I'm talking about: http://www1.westcoastcwc.com/images/...%20Hat%20B.jpg

[SUVSCV]

Re: Hardee plume attachment

I'd like to know where one could acquire a plume like that!?


Stan Buckles

[PieBoy96]

Re: Hardee plume attachment

Hi Gary,

That is pretty cool for an officer's hat. Here are three examples of enlisted hats: the first cavalry hat shows some sort of woven tip at the base of the feathers; the infantry hat appears to be set in with MAYBE some sort of single stitch at the base (can't 100% tell); and the second cavalry hat has several staple-like attachments - also note there appear to be two smaller feathers put together to resemble one large plume. Photos are from www.ha.com

[PieBoy96]

Re: Hardee plume attachment

Here's another cavalry officer's dress hat with a similar feature as the one linked above. Photos are from www.ha.com

[toptimlrd]

Re: Hardee plume attachment

Upon further research, I find that the plumes are sewn to a black cloth double ruffle cockade and attached to the hat cord by either a state or branch coat cuff button. I've not seen this done in reenacting but it sure beats tucking the plume(s) under the hat cord. Here's a good example of what I'm talking about: http://www1.westcoastcwc.com/images/...%20Hat%20B.jpg

I have two very similar ones I picked up from a sutler friend. They were (I presume) antique officer plumes (not sure exactly how old). There were two sewn together and I separated them for both my and my son's dressed army hats. Of interest, there was a black wire in them that had a loop that attached to the brim of the hat to help hold it in place.

The cockade attachments are very interesting, I wonder how common they were.