Confederate kepi???

[Billw12280]

Can anybody shed some light on what this is exactly? I know W. Stokes Kirk was a retailer in military goods after the Civil War but I'm not sure what to think about this kepi. Could it be a surplus confederate kepi? Also Can anybody explain the significance of the green band of color? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[captaindrew]

Made in Philly and with Federal eagle buttons if it's Civil War my guess is a northern militia unit, plenty of them had grey uniforms

 

[major bill]

Perhaps a post Civil War fatigue cap as well. It sure does have some similarities to a 1872 pattern US Army fatigue cap.

 

[Billw12280]

Made in Philly and with Federal eagle buttons if it's Civil War my guess is a northern militia unit, plenty of them had grey uniforms

Good catch on the button, I didn't think to zoom in on that. Did W. Stokes Kirk actually manufacture anything or just slap his label on surplus they purchased?

 

[Billw12280]

Heres a couple more pictures, the seller has it listed as a Texas CSA kepi but I was skeptical to say the least. I don't know enough about it but I am honestly intrigued and would like to learn more. I know New York National Guard wore grey, what other northern militia units wore grey?

 

[Billw12280]

Perhaps a post Civil War fatigue cap as well. It sure does have some similarities to a 1872 pattern US Army fatigue cap.

I'm trying to educate myself more on this subject, what similarities are you seeing? How did post war kepis/ fatigue caps differ from CW era caps?

 

[1867crete]

Hum the first post shows a eagle button the second shows a Virginia button? Is this the same cap? Or different buttons on each side? The label looks post war? With at least one replaced button.

 

[Billw12280]

Hum the first post shows a eagle button the second shows a Virginia button? Is this the same cap? Or different buttons on each side? The label looks post war? With at least one replaced button.

As far as I know they are the same cap, I have only seen pictures of it. W. Stokes Kirk is definitely a post war dealer but as far as I know he purchased large quantities of military surplus and attached his label to them.

 

[1867crete]

Interesting! I would think Confederate military "surplus" would be non existent!? But anything is possible!

 

[Billw12280]

Interesting! I would think Confederate military "surplus" would be non existent!? But anything is possible!

If it is indeed Confederate? I agree that you wouldnt expect surplus from the Confederacy which also leads to the mystery of this piece. I'm honestly confused by this cap and I'm hoping somebody can help identify what it is.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Could easily be a part of a post war veterans reunion attire.... Post war local militia... Fraternal uniform item... or even a bandsman... Many groups and organizations donned military style uniforms.... The cap band likely was originally black, but has faded to the greenish hue it now has.. The pattern style is more like those of the post war era...

 

[WJC]

As a "Confederate article" it looks too good to be true....

 

[Package4]

Very post war, the company moved to that address in 1893.

 

[Billw12280]

Very post war, the company moved to that address in 1893.

That definitely narrows it down a lot. I appreciate the information! is there a book that lists manufacturers addresses and what dates they were there?

 

[Package4]

That definitely narrows it down a lot. I appreciate the information! is there a book that lists manufacturers addresses and what dates they were there?

Yes "Military Goods Dealers and Makers 1785-1915" by Bazelon & McGuinn

 

[Billw12280]

Yes "Military Goods Dealers and Makers 1785-1915" by Bazelon & McGuinn

Thanks, I'll look for that book!

 

[rosmia2]

Interesting! I would think Confederate military "surplus" would be non existent!? But anything is possible!

Bannerman sold some Confederate items in the post-War. I remember seeing caps and square hardpacks.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Very post war,

The kepi is absolutely post War and not remotely connected to the CSA.

 

[mofederal]

A military academy or militia unit would seem the probable answers to the question.