Impressions Correct hat?

[For Honor]

Hello,
Just looking into a new hat for a federal impression, kepi or bummer. I would like to know which would be better for a campaigner. I already have a slouch hat and just need this for an event.
Thanks as always
For Honor

 

[thomas aagaard]

The kepi was not issued but something the soldiers paid for out of their own pocket... the forage cap was issued.
So unless you know for a fact that kepi's (or hardee or some other form of "hat") was used by the regiment you are going to portray the forage cap is the one to get.

 

[Pvt.Shattuck]

I think the kepi became ubiquitous in memory because it was worn by the G.A.R. and the cavalry in western movies. During the war, forage caps were far more common for enlisted men. Officers purchased kepis.

 

[yellowthornoftexas]

I never knew this!

 

[johan_steele]

A lot depends on the unit you are portraying. As an example the 4th MN VI didn't have any forage caps at least through Vicksburg and they were still had Hardees through the grand review. Western troops prefered the Slouch hat or the issue Hardee while the Eastern troops had the forage cap.

 

[unicornforge]

Talk to the group's organizer that you plan on participating with, and find out what they wear and where they purchase their equipment. After all, you don't want to look different than everyone else.

 

[For Honor]

Thank you for the help, I know dirty Billy's has some really good one.

 

[capt13th]

dirty billy is good, but i held my kepi side by side with his and there was literally no difference between the 2 hats. when flipped over, the only difference was the lining inside the hat which no one sees anyway. the cost difference between the 2 was about $100. but everyone will push for you to buy dirty billy, so save up and enjoy your reenacting experience.

 

[Chattahooch33]

If you are doing western federal then I recommend Tim Bender. I like his hats a little better than Dirty Billy and Tim's customer service and speed is unmatched.

I have his Hardee and his medium crown bowler.

http://benderhats.com/1858.html

 

[Cumpston1862]

Kepi or forage cap. The forage cap was issued to the Federal enlisted man not the kepi. The kepi was privately purchased usually by officers much like some of my colleagues have already mentioned.

As far as "topping" off your impression. A good hat will bring your efforts to the next level even if you have to sacrifice and buy other mainstream kit. If you have top of the line kit but a cheap hat it will stick out like a sore thumb.

In those regards. It depends on the impression you are going for really. If you are doing a western Federal soldier the slouch or hardee was typically more common. I personally feel that the stereotype that if you are doing western Federal that you NEED to wear a slouch is a bit over bearing. Many western units and individual soldiers wore forage caps. The picture below of the 7th Illinois at Lookout Mountain is predominately slouches but there are also forage caps.

Expired Image Removed


Whereas the picture below of eastern Federal soldiers prior to the Battle of Chancellorsville or Second Fredericksburg clearly shows a predominance of forage caps. Of course many eastern soldiers wore slouch hats too. Are these pictures the last word in what should be worn? Absolutely not but they give a rough idea of what was worn where.

 

[Chattahooch33]

That first picture is awesome, Cump.

These guys take the cake.

 

[For Honor]

Thank you I have a slouch, hat what I learned from this is I need to go through it in the durt and stomp on it to get it to the well used look. From the pictures I think mine could use some ruffing up.
By the way the liveing history events at vicksburg should be great!

 

[Chattahooch33]

Thank you I have a slouch, hat what I learned from this is I need to go through it in the durt and stomp on it to get it to the well used look. From the pictures I think mine could use some ruffing up.
By the way the liveing history events at vicksburg should be great!

Yes and no...

Remember that at that time your hat was the most important article of clothing you wore, it was like the cherry on top. Guys were extremely particular about their hats and would have taken care of them. Of course soldiers on campaign couldn't keep them in tip-top shape but they would have tried.