New Forage cap

[Package4]

Good morning everyone, I just got this forge cap for Christmas. I was wondering if is accurate to the period. Thank you .

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That is a nice representation of a mid to late war forage cap, with the larger disk. I see you are in a West Va unit, here is an original late war forage cap that was worn by Charles Wells of Co E 14th WV, he was wounded in the head at Berryville, VA and was transported to a Frederick, MD hospital. He recovered enough to assist as a steward, but on his way home to Grafton, WV he went into convulsions and died. The forage cap is in such good shape as it was certainly a new cap issued to him upon his recovery in Frederick. His effects were collected by his family and this cap came directly from there.

 

[7thWisconsin]

If you´re a reenactor, there´s absolutely no need to artificially weather clothing or equipment. Just wear it. God forbid anyone at anytime ever got anything new between 1861 and 1865.

 

[Capt7thWvCoA]

That is a nice representation of a mid to late war forage cap, with the larger disk. I see you are in a West Va unit, here is an original late war forage cap that was worn by Charles Wells of Co E 14th WV, he was wounded in the head at Berryville, VA and was transported to a Frederick, MD hospital. He recovered enough to assist as a steward, but on his way home to Grafton, WV he went into convulsions and died. The forage cap is in such good shape as it was certainly a new cap issued to him upon his recovery in Frederick. His effects were collected by his family and this cap came directly from there.

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Funny you should say his name. Some of my grandmother's ancestors where wells. They where from pa.

 

[DixieRifles]

My friend wa-a-ay out in California buys replica kepis and forage caps and he ages them quite well. He uses dry pigment paint and maybe light sand paper for the leather to make it appear to have seen a few battles.
Im trying to learn how he does that.

I gave this weathering technique on my jean kepi. I applied only one shade of "dust" dry pigment by rubbing it in with my finger.

 

[Package4]

If you´re a reenactor, there´s absolutely no need to artificially weather clothing or equipment. Just wear it. God forbid anyone at anytime ever got anything new between 1861 and 1865.

Respectfully, I disagree. Most reenacting groups portray hard fought units and as such these are soldiers who were on frequent campaigns. The average reenactor may have 6-7 events per year wearing their uniform a total of 48 hrs each. Arriving Friday evening and battles/LH Sat & Sun. Using that information it would take 10 years of reenacting to replicate what an active ACW soldier looked like in 6 months.

Those of us who have been in the hobby for awhile already have campaign type uniforms, but there are times when one needs to replace gear. We portray Parker's Battery at Sharpsburg and as such, the unit was heavily used and beat up. New gear was not to be had due to long supply lines, thus leaving headgear on the dash to fade.

We also portray a CS battery at Monocacy, where again, Early's men were very beat up with no access to supply (clothing). I am in the process of trying to weather an EAC kepi, but it is very dye fast………it looks just like my avatar and refuses to fade!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Respectfully, I disagree. Most reenacting groups portray hard fought units and as such these are soldiers who were on frequent campaigns. The average reenactor may have 6-7 events per year wearing their uniform a total of 48 hrs each. Arriving Friday evening and battles/LH Sat & Sun. Using that information it would take 10 years of reenacting to replicate what an active ACW soldier looked like in 6 months.

Those of us who have been in the hobby for awhile already have campaign type uniforms, but there are times when one needs to replace gear. We portray Parker's Battery at Sharpsburg and as such, the unit was heavily used and beat up. New gear was not to be had due to long supply lines, thus leaving headgear on the dash to fade.

We also portray a CS battery at Monocacy, where again, Early's men were very beat up with no access to supply (clothing). I am in the process of trying to weather an EAC kepi, but it is very dye fast………it looks just like my avatar and refuses to fade!

Ok. You do you but I´m unconvinced still.

 

[14NYSM]

Personally, I would remove the Infantry hunting horn insignia if you want to look like an average foot soldier. Caps wore out and were replaced. It was not that big a deal as they were cheap (The govt. paid 79¢ as I recall) Besides, you may want to join in with other units at events and a generic impression works well.