Uniforms Private purchase Forage Cap

[Salterr]

So technically it would be considered an 1852 model even though it was a private purchase and not a military issue?

A private purchase hat might imply that the wearer was an officer on some level. If he had the means to purchase his gear there were many makers that would have to follow as much as possible the regulations of the uniform set forth by the government. Officers had to purchase their own items, they were not supplied them like a private would have been. The 1858 model would be the style your hat is. 1851 is more of a shako with colored bands. The 1854 has colored welts. 1872 kepis are shorter in the front around 2 inches and when viewed from the side rather triangular. Imagine an isosceles triangle on its side. Most collectors call the forage hats type 1 or type 2. Type 1's are wider at the bottom and narrow at the top toward the crown. Type 2 are more evenly measured and resemble a boxier shape with bigger crowns. Officers hats were usually of a higher quality and have a sort of quilted stitching in the lining of the hat in the shape of diamonds also usually a bound visor that resembles yours

 

[Copperdragon333]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

 

[Copperdragon333]

Also, if a soldier bought his own forage cap with state buttons, would he also have state buttons put on his uniform?

 

[captaindrew]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

There was a lot of state pride in those days. He very well could have chosen state buttons over eagles. I'm much more knowledgeable on CS clothing, on that side if a soldier had the means and could find them it was popular to swap to state buttons on their clothing. It was something they'd do on their own. Some of the northern states produced uniforms for their troops, I'd imagine some were issued with state buttons. In an officer's case, outfitting himself I'd say it was his choice. Enlisted men if they had the means would sometimes also buy some of their own clothing of better quality than what was issued so a private purchase item wouldn't necessarily been for an officer.

 

[Package4]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

Yours is most likely an officers cap styled after the M1858 with the larger disk, may be considered later war. The quilting, lack of a chin strap buckle and fine broadcloth indicate that this is most likely a NY officers cap.

 

[FrankN]

That's a great looking cap! Also, great information provided by the knowledgeable members of this forum!
I have a forage cap that I display in a case that was made to display sports memorabilia (football, football helmet, etc,)
The cap is filled with acid free paper. The photo that I included is an older photo of a cap I no longer own. There are different designs and sizes available.

Congrats on your cool piece of history!
Frank

 

[Package4]

Thanks! What would be a good way to display it without exposing it to more moth damage?

Acrylic Display Cases Clear Box Showcase

Discover a selection of acrylic display cases at Collecting Warehouse. Pair with various bases for versatile presentation options. Shop now!

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[Package4]

Here is a small display I set up at the Henry House (Manassas) for NPS utilizing a few acrylic cases from Collecting warehouse. The caps displayed were identified as belonging to soldiers/units at the battle.

 

[Package4]

Yours is most likely an officers cap styled after the M1858 with the larger disk, may be considered later war. The quilting, lack of a chin strap buckle and fine broadcloth indicate that this is most likely a NY officers cap.

In addition, those appear to be three piece domed officer buttons.

 

[bobinwmass]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

The buttons are New York Militia buttons. That means the owner was a member (and probably an officer) in a New York Militia company. Since not a part of the Federal army, it would not be appropriate to have Federal eagle buttons. Now it is quite possible his company was called upon or volunteered for muster into Federal service during the war, in which case they may have gone wearing their New York militia uniforms, especially early in the war. Later in the war they likely would have been issued Federal uniforms or uniforms with Federal trimmings. But it is also entirely possible though that the owner of such a cap, while a member of the state militia, never entered Federal service to fight in the war. Many times members and officers of the various state volunteer militia companies were older, established businessmen, members of the community, whatever, who may help recruit companies to go to war, but not go or be able to go themselves.

 

[Package4]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

Many states initially supplied their own uniforms until the national government could catch up and regiments were accepted into federal service, as a result states like N.Y. continued to supply some regiments throughout the war. Others accepted federal issue and some soldiers would utilize their old buttons, or ordered new.

 

[Salterr]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

If the wearer was an officer he would not have general service buttons. Officers were to have the eagle with the branch letter in the shield. There are examples of buttons where I believe it was major general Philip Kearney had buttons with his initials on them instead of any regulation button. When you were an officer there were many variants they could choose. Much the same way that you see shoulder boards have 1,2,3,4 borders or metal letters on them. The regulation for those was one border and no department or company letters but having the means to afford such things, the soldiers often bent the regulation rules. Suppliers like SH&G offered those options so variantions are plentiful on many civil war items. @Package4 and @bobinwmass are spot on and raise excellent points about militia usage and states not being able to quickly distribute uniform items.

 

[Salterr]

That's a great looking cap! Also, great information provided by the knowledgeable members of this forum!
I have a forage cap that I display in a case that was made to display sports memorabilia (football, football helmet, etc,)
The cap is filled with acid free paper. The photo that I included is an older photo of a cap I no longer own. There are different designs and sizes available.

Congrats on your cool piece of history!
Frank





View attachment 533587

Frank, does yours have the ventilator in the center?? Very nice!!!!

 

[Package4]

So would mine be considered a type II 1858 model? And as far as the buttons were concerned, the cap maker must have had the option of buying either state or general service buttons, but why would a soldier purchase state over eagle buttons? One would think that since the maker had to follow basic military issue guidelines they would only come with general service buttons.

Many states initially supplied their own uniforms until the national government could catch up, as a result states like N.Y. continued to supply some regiments throughout the war. These regiments were usually militia that were never offered for federal service. There was a back and forth with uniforms and the federal government.

New York supplied their troops uniforms until April 1862, when the governor ordered all stocks turned over to the US Army Assistant QM in N.Y. City. The federal government clothed N.Y. troops until July 1862 when Lincoln called for additional troops from N.Y.. During this time the federal government once more allowed states to issue their own clothing to troops prior to entering US service. Shortly thereafter they revoked this right and troops in same the regiment could be found in different uniforms. New York was unusual as it decided to supply their own militia with uniforms and equipment, these are units that would remain in state unless an emergency might arise.

The most prevalent uniform for N.Y. troops and officers were those of the Federal government.

 

[Copperdragon333]

But some NY militia units did see combat during the CW, right?

 

[Salterr]

But some NY militia units did see combat during the CW, right?

Yes, some militia units did see battle but attributing your cap to one of them would be very difficult without a provenance or name found in the hat.

 

[bobinwmass]

Many New York militia buttons are dug from Civil War campsites and battlefields, so apparently a large number of such uniforms went off to war. And a large number never did.

 

[Copperdragon333]

Too bad the cap didn't have a regiment number to help with further identification, but whether it saw combat or not is irrelevant to me: I'm just happy to know it is a genuine CW forage cap! Thanks to all those who helped in this thread - as usual, highly grateful!

 

[Package4]

But some NY militia units did see combat during the CW, right?

I wouldn't be too concerned here with semantics, since the state supplied uniforms to both federally accepted and militia units, a N.Y. button may be considered either.

 

[bobinwmass]

I wouldn't be too concerned here with semantics, since the state supplied uniforms to both federally accepted and militia units, a N.Y. button may be considered either.

I agree. Definitely a nice cap anyone would be proud to have in their Civil War collection.