Question About Confederate Hats

[TerryB]

I'm puzzled by a style of hat I see in lots and lots of ACW photos, but have never seen on a reenactor. It looks like a Smokey Bear hat, but twice as big, in that it seems twice as big as the man's head. What's that hat called? They look totally weird. Guy on the left.

 

[Championhilz]

View attachment 27785 I'm puzzled by a style of hat I see in lots and lots of ACW photos, but have never seen on a reenactor. It looks like a Smokey Bear hat, but twice as big, in that it seems twice as big as the man's head. What's that hat called? They look totally weird. Guy on the left.

That's a beehive style hat - in the book "Echoes of Glory - Arms & Equipment of the Confederacy" there are pictures of several original beehives. I have a reproduction beehive that I wore while reenacting - I will post a picture of it when I get a chance.

 

[Championhilz]

Here's a picture of my beehive:

When it was made I had a Civil War period Hat manufacturers label from Vicksburg put in the hat:

 

[Deleted member 8452]

View attachment 27785 I'm puzzled by a style of hat I see in lots and lots of ACW photos, but have never seen on a reenactor. It looks like a Smokey Bear hat, but twice as big, in that it seems twice as big as the man's head. What's that hat called? They look totally weird. Guy on the left.

Trying to find that hat's not gonna be easy, the Confederate Army uniform was so irregular, all types of hats were probably worn by the soldiers, most just wore their homemade farming hats.

I believe I read that only about 25 percent of the soldiers in the Confederate Army wore military style forage caps and kepis.

 

[TinCan]

They did have some rather unique headgear.

 

[TerryB]

Trying to find that hat's not gonna be easy, the Confederate Army uniform was so irregular, all types of hats were probably worn by the soldiers, most just wore their homemade farming hats.

I believe I read that only about 25 percent of the soldiers in the Confederate Army wore military style forage caps and kepis.

I get the impression that the Beehive hat, because it looks like a Smokey Bear, was intended to be a military style. Don't think I've ever seen a photo of a civilian wearing one. It looks weird to me because I see lots of potential empty space, like it might roll around on a man's head.

 

[Deleted member 8452]

I get the impression that the Beehive hat, because it looks like a Smokey Bear, was intended to be a military style. Don't think I've ever seen a photo of a civilian wearing one. It looks weird to me because I see lots of potential empty space, like it might roll around on a man's head.

Possible extra space for foraging???

 

[Chattahooch33]

Best on the market:

http://www.benderhats.com/mediumcrownbowler.html

 

[Craig L Barry]

Also called a "plug" hat. Various names for the style, which was very common. Good protection from the elements. The brim curls up naturally as it was not flattened.

 

[Nathanb1]

I get the impression that the Beehive hat, because it looks like a Smokey Bear, was intended to be a military style. Don't think I've ever seen a photo of a civilian wearing one. It looks weird to me because I see lots of potential empty space, like it might roll around on a man's head.

There's the basic hat block....and then the differences you see are in how they're re-blocked and creased. One guy might wear his "as is," and the others might wear theirs creased in many ways, such as this guy.

 

[TerryB]

There's the basic hat block....and then the differences you see are in how they're re-blocked and creased. One guy might wear his "as is," and the others might wear theirs creased in many ways, such as this guy.

So looker much bigger than the head is an illusion?

 

[Nathanb1]

Oh, not particularly, but a basic beehive looks one way--his creasing looks sort of....uh.....imaginative.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

One time at a reenactment, I and several Pards from my unit went to eat breakfast at the "Activities" tent so the public could have "Breakfast With The Soldiers".....As we stood in line, a "civilian" Mom commented to her young son "Look at all the DIFFERENT hats those guys have!".....I was PROUD that someone had noticed!!

I got my hat from Clearwater Hats.....They have a nice Beehive!! http://www.clearwaterhats.com/default.htm

 

[BillO]

One time at a reenactment, I and several Pards from my unit went to eat breakfast at the "Activities" tent so the public could have "Breakfast With The Soldiers".....As we stood in line, a "civilian" Mom commented to her young son "Look at all the DIFFERENT hats those guys have!".....I was PROUD that someone had noticed!!

I got my hat from Clearwater Hats.....They have a nice Beehive!! http://www.clearwaterhats.com/default.htm

I have the same hat from the same source. Only difference is the tassel.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I have the same hat from the same source. Only difference is the tassel.

I have the "Shiloh" style....I am VERY happy with it!!.....I been reenacting for 10 years and this is my third hat.....The first two were cheap & didn't last.....My Pards advised getting a good one, as it's worth the price!!

 

[BillO]

I have the "Shiloh" style....I am VERY happy with it!!.....I been reenacting for 10 years and this is my third hat.....The first two were cheap & didn't last.....My Pards advised getting a good one, as it's worth the price!!

It was the first hat I bought. I had some good mentors.

 

[FZ11]

It was a Bring Your Own Hat affair. Some rough,old,boys,there. Love that photo!

 

[DixieRifles]

I get the impression that the Beehive hat, because it looks like a Smokey Bear, was intended to be a military style. Don't think I've ever seen a photo of a civilian wearing one.

I don't reenact but I'm familiar with the Beehive hat. However, most military uniforms and equipment worn by the armies can be traced back to military issue item. The Zouave and the kepi were very popular and can be traced back to the French army. But I don't see any connection with the Beehive and a previous uniform---American or foreign.
Is there some origin for this Beehive?

 

[BillO]

From the description I read when I bought mine. Or the description as I remember it. It was a very popular civilian style in the decade before the war.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I don't reenact but I'm familiar with the Beehive hat. However, most military uniforms and equipment worn by the armies can be traced back to military issue item. The Zouave and the kepi were very popular and can be traced back to the French army. But I don't see any connection with the Beehive and a previous uniform---American or foreign.
Is there some origin for this Beehive?

Like the "slouch" hat, it was civilian.....