Hello I was the house of one of my ww2 militaria buyers and he showed me what looked to be an original Jean wool confederate kepi. I didn't get the chance ti photograph it but I can describe it. It had a hard brim it was not leather looked like oilcloth or painted material. It had a couple small holes all over the jeanwool. The interior was some what looked to be wool and cotton lining that had a design on it but it had detached form the cap. There was not a sweat band but remememce of a leather one. It looked to be mostly hand sewn. There where no buttons or chin straps but holes for buttons. I will try to get really detailed pictures next time I see it and maybe try to buy or trade for it.
Be very careful, there are a couple of very good individuals who make kepis for the reenacting community. I have seen these caps later distressed and sold as original. There are a couple of things to help determine an original from a more modern copy. 1) Wool after 150+ years will tend to lose the lanolin which makes it soft, the material will be more stiff and harsh. 2) Believe it or not, smell, most will have a dank musty smell, that is very difficult to fake.
There are other attributes, but take an in person inspection.
I was horrified to learn that there was a group of individuals, I recall, out of Canada who were parting out older UCV and GAR kepis. They were using these parts to create "Confederate" kepis, these were so convincing that they fooled some of the most knowledgeable dealers.
A close visual inspection is necessary to out these pieces. Sewing holes of sweatbands, brims and linings, do not line up.
Please provide pictures when you can and if not recognized as a repo, will try and advise where you might go to authenticate.
Bringing the