Hat Eagle/Pin

[dixieflyer]

OK, I'm getting down to the finer points of getting my impression together for this. Most all of my old sources have disappeared, and I was wondering:

- Do any of y'all have a favorite dealer/seller for these pins used to pin up the brim of the regulation dress hat?? I know in looking at past posts, etc. it seems the quality of these things can vary quite a bit from pretty good down to trash. I know we're not supposed to post a "who makes the best (whatever)" question, but at the same time I don't have money to waste.

Ideas on good repros?

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Warren, I believe "he who shall not be named" AKA ****** sells some great hat badges. You may want to check his site out.

[Silas]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

This isn't a "who makes the best" question. Based upon prior discussion, it appears there is a correct eagle flying with a bunch of readily available junk. The question is, who is selling the correct eagle?

I've been waiting for the bully buy on that one for my Hardee hat even though I'm not going to wear it at this event. (For my officer impression, I'm going likely going to wear a forage cap instead.) I've also had people in my company ask me the same question. I've told them to wait for the eventual bully buy as one is likely to occur.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

NJS does not show any brass insignia but he does have very nice embroidered insignia which is not correct for the enlisted impression. I heard S&S Sutler has some nice ones but I have not seen them myself. However, they all have the wrong attachment so it is the sharpness of the stamping that is being compared.

Is a eagle bully buy for sure? I plan to do a bulk buy for everyone in my company that needs one.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Well, I assume everyone has gotten the off-forum e-mail regarding the "Bully Buy" from Matt, however the deal is for a hat & pin combo. I already have a decent hat, just need the pin. Thanks!

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Does anybody have some good front and back photos of an original?

[dixieflyer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Robert, I've seen some on the net, but none that are mine to post on here.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Here's one that I have. Note the hook at the bottom for the brim of the hat.
Front:
FRONT..jpg
Back:
BACK..jpg
Hook Detail:
HOOK..jpg

Paul McKee

[dixieflyer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Thanks Paul! All of the ones of original I found had the hooks or pins broken off.

[ohpkirk]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Anyone with soldering capabilities can refurb existing pins. 1/16" brass wire can be found at numerous sites on the interweb, my favorite is speedymetals.com.

On a side note, only a small percentage of what NJ Nick offers is listed on his site. Your best bet would be to email him directly.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

I contacted him on the Facing Book Cody. I know I can solder on hooks, my point was that the photos of the originals I had found did not illustrate them because they were missing, and Paul's photo was of a hat pin in which they were still intact which I felt it would be a better guide than those I had found.

[Pious Jeems]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Thanks for letting me view those, need one myself.

[Adams]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Pards,

I plan to take advantage of the Hardee Hat Bully Buy. However I've got a question for more learned veterans of this community. Which would be more appriopriate to purchase....the '55 Hardee Hat or the '58 Hardee? Personally, I like the lower profile of the '55 Hardee but I want to make sure I get the correct version before purchase. I also would like to use this hat for both early war and possibly late war events in the future. Also, does it matter much if I get a crease in the hat or the telescope option?

Thanks for the advice!

Wayne

[dixieflyer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

Wayne,
Far be it from me to tout myself as an expert on Federal headgear, but I am unaware of two different models of U.S. Army dress hats of this period. I highly suggest this article by my old pard Paul McKee for your reading pleasure: http://www.33wis.com/articles/pdf/Hardee%20Hat.pdf Note the measurements in the table. All of the originals used for the study fall within 3/8ths of an inch or so in height. (And I admit that my new hat falls outside of these parameters, but it's the best I can do.)

I would also say that at this point creasing, telescoping, and other general alterations would not be the norm. AFAIK (and others please correct me if I am wrong) the powers that be I think are trying for a uniform look of fairly new hats with the brim secured by the eagle pin as opposed to the broken in look that we associate with veteran troops, etc. This is Shiloh and these are fresh troops, not the vets of the Chickamauga/Chattanooga and Atlanta campaigns.

[john duffer]

Re: Hat Eagle/Pin

"creasing, telescoping, and other general alterations would not be the norm"

I'd say this is definitely the official and desired plan at the time but from an experimental archeology point of view the first night I had mine in the field I tried to use it as a pillow and it put a semi-permanent crease in it. Not sure how long the band box look would/could have been maintained in the field.