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View Full Version : Whats your favorite hat??



Sven205
12-10-2020, 03:07 PM
Just curious what everyone's favorite type of hat is.

Does it change depending on the season? Do you go to a straw type in the warmer months or a wool hat in the cooler months? Do you wear insignias or cords that represent a division?

Lou Lou Lou
12-10-2020, 07:56 PM
Every team is different. Many have unit designations. Many like mine have different hats.?:Keli , Slouch and Straw

Rob FreemanWBR
12-10-2020, 11:17 PM
I typically wear the brimmed straw hat when on the line. It protects from the sun, which is a huge. The only draw backs are that it came with a CHEAP sweatband made of man made material and it only ?absorbs? sweat at the forehead. Next, was the threat of it being carried off unexpectedly by a gust of wind...

I remedied the latter issue by getting a set of leather hat/chin straps which Drill Instructors/State Troopers wear on their ?smokies?. Now, with the small black leather strap that graces the back of the wearers head, I NEVER have to worry about loosing my cover, even in high winds ever again!

However, I am still trying to think of a solution to the lack of a suitable sweat band...

If my eyes did not deceive me, I thought I spied other skirmishers who modified their straw hats with several, what seemed to be, quarter inch holes made in the hats top. This seems to be an ingenious solution to allow hot air trapped inside the hat to easily escape, thus making the wearer much more comfortable, esp in the summer. This really intrigued me and I be very interested to learn more (how to) if anyone can help. But I digress...


The required head gear for my team is a Union bummer/kepi. I prefer the look of the bummer, plus I was always told ?officers wore kepis?. When I was near Gettysburg, I called ahead and made an appointment to visit Dirty Billy (he has limited business hours for walking) and I was personally fitted with a VERY nice piece of reproduction head gear that one could ever find. With Billy, you certainly get what you pay for!

Finally for inclement/rainy weather, I have a nice black, brimmed bee hive hat, from another separate visit, and personal fitting, via Dirty Billy. The brimmed hat holds up very well in the rain (better than the straw hat, or bummer). Like my coveted straw hat, I too have outfitted this cover with the leather hat/chin straps to counter the unwelcome effects of wind gusts.

As for the ?bells & whistles?:

The straw had is adorned with an infantry horn on the front, with my team?s letters above. It also has a blue hat cord from Regimental QM (also where I bought the hat).

My bummer simply has my team?s letters (WBR) above the Infantry horn atop the hat?s flat.

The bee hive only has a blue hat cord from S&S.



Side note: For the benefit of newer skirmishers who don?t know Billy (Dirty Billy), he used to be a frequent suttler at the fort. However, with limited customer demand, he ceased attending the nationals. At last check, he was still in business in Gettysburg. This man know more about period head gear than most will ever forget! He is sought after by many for his wares, to include major Hollywood productions (Gods and Generals and Dances with a Wolves) due to the quality and EXACTNESS of his creations. Be advised, his ?stuff ain?t cheap?, but it IS absolutely first rate! In fact Billy is so exacting on the details, if you want your hat ?touched up? with soil from a particular battle, he has dirt from all the key engagements of the war of northern aggression! Dirty Billys is definitely an establishment to frequent if/when you find yourself in Gettysburg, even if you don?t purchase a hat, the education alone on period head gear is impressive. My two cents!

Muley Gil
12-11-2020, 12:13 AM
I stared skirmishing with the Blue Rifles in 1970. Most members wore kepis with the hunting horn and WBR on top and the company letter on the front. I was able to buy a McDowell forage cap made by WBR member Mark Elrod. I wore it with the chin strap on the back of head, as the good Kurnel Freeman wears his straw hat.

Many years later, after a looong period away from the N-SSA, I jined up with a rebel cavalry unit and found a Dirty Billy butternut McDowell forage cap, one much like Old Blue Light (Stonewall Jackson) wore. Most Confederate units didn't wear any hat brass and I don't either. I have a brown beehive for rainy weather.

Eggman
12-11-2020, 11:45 AM
Two considerations when choosing a hat:
{1} Historical accuracy. Want to look same or similar to originals.
{2} Physical comfort/protection, particularly from sun. Here's where the straw hats come in when acceptable.
{2}* Here's where I deviate. I'm confederate so lots of flexibility here since the guys wore everything. My thing is my ears. The plug protectors don't give near the hearing protection I want for my delicate ear drums. I much prefer the cup hearing protectors, which aren't very authentic, but are accepted. That rules out the straw hat and the kepi, but that round stiffener can be moved forward out of the way, and ear muffs clamped on, while wearing a bummer cap -- which is what I wear.

Sven205
12-15-2020, 02:31 PM
Thanks for the input.

Harry Gaul
12-15-2020, 05:20 PM
As a member of the 3rd US Regular Infantry, the group is big time Artillery. Instead of the horn, most of the folks wear crossed cannons. I kept the horn, and I wear a beat up straw hat with feathers that I found in the woods. Sutler grade kepi and bummers are for the most part acceptable. You do not need exotic, authentic, stitch-counted variety unless you are into that type of thing. I have a authentic repro bummer but do not wear it. Maybe this year and the year of the vaccine, the authentic repro bummer will make it to the line.

Harry in Pa.
03626v

CAGerringer
12-15-2020, 07:05 PM
When I joined the Old Dominion Dragoons in 1973, the Team Hat was a black felt pinned up on the left side with a Wreath around a VA Button pin. Crossed swords and a yellow hat cord with tassels was the finishing touch. When I came back to the States in 1986, the Team hat was officially a yellow Kepi, so I got one. When I retired and came back to the Dragoons for the 3rd time in 2009, they were still wearing the Kepi, but I got a really nice black 4x beaver hat. I put all my original brass on it from 1973. When the weather is nice, I wear the Kepi. But when it's wet, I wear the black Beaver. I always get to wear both at Nationals.
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons

Sven205
12-16-2020, 02:57 PM
When the weather is nice, I wear the Kepi. But when it's wet, I wear the black Beaver. I always get to wear both at Nationals.
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons

This hits close to another thing I've thought about, waterproofing the wool slouch type hats or others made of wool. Something like scotchguard or another water repelling spray seems like it could be useful in the rain.

Kevin Tinny
12-17-2020, 10:13 AM
Couple related things, please:

The current formulation of SCOTCHGUARD is significantly less water repellant than prior ones.
Latest stuff is useless, in my experience.
There is a spray named REVIVEX that is approved for GORE-TEX, and I have found it works well.

All the best,
Kevin Tinny

Sven205
12-17-2020, 02:01 PM
Thanks Kevin. Good info.

I looked up this product and it reminds me of one I use for soft shell jackets called NikWax. Its a "wash in" type thing, but the spray would likely work better!

Kevin Tinny
12-17-2020, 02:52 PM
Back again:

I Googled "how to protect good felt hats", having two from Dirty Billy.
There are good YOUTUBE vid's on the subject.
Might want to view them for more info.

Respectfully,
Kevin Tinny

Rob FreemanWBR
12-17-2020, 05:26 PM
Back again:

I Googled "how to protect good felt hats", having two from Dirty Billy.
There are good YOUTUBE vid's on the subject.
Might want to view them for more info.

Respectfully,
Kevin Tinny


Kevin/all,

I may be wrong, but Dirty Bill does not produce felt hats. He almost fell over in his store when I once inquired about purchasing a ?felt? hat from his esteemed establishment... If memory serves right, after an on the spot education - his brimmed are made from some sort of semi-aquatic mammal (???).

Best bet, if you do own a DB hat, is to call him directly for the straight skinny on how to correctly protect and clean his particular covers (they are far from cheap but will last if cared for).

Hope this helps!

Kevin Tinny
12-17-2020, 06:41 PM
Smiles:

With respect:

First a Kepi and then my felt Gen'l. Longstreet style from him.

FWIW: I was singled-out as a naval officer during inspection for wrong trousers.
Seems I was issued "BAM" trousers ot PNCLA. The roar in ranks still echo's.

Tx and sorry for the borderline hijacking.

Kevin

Muley Gil
12-18-2020, 11:45 AM
Kevin/all,

I may be wrong, but Dirty Bill does not produce felt hats. He almost fell over in his store when I once inquired about purchasing a ?felt? hat from his esteemed establishment... If memory serves right, after an on the spot education - his brimmed are made from some sort of semi-aquatic mammal (???).

Best bet, if you do own a DB hat, is to call him directly for the straight skinny on how to correctly protect and clean his particular covers (they are far from cheap but will last if cared for).

Hope this helps!

Wool felt is flimsy and doesn't hold it's shape very well. A beaver hat in a quality item. :)

Dheisey#7003
12-29-2020, 07:02 PM
Over the years I have had a good number of hats and caps. I have a good Amish made straw hat that I wear sometimes for long events, like artillery. I prefer my high top bummer that I have had for years. I works well with ear muffs.