Slouch Hat

[Bfd807]

I am wondering if there were Dark Blue slouch hats for federal troops. I was told that a blue slouch would be a good alternate headwear as it would help keep ears from frying in summertime. My problem is I can not find a Blue one anywhere, Black, Grey and Brown but no Blue. I verified the color and where to purchase from my NCO. I tried said company and they only make BK and GRY. Any help is appreciated on where to find one.
Thank you and Happy New Year

 

[captaindrew]

The only Federal issue slouch hat I'm aware of is the Hardee hat made of black felt. A plain Hardee hat undecorated would be a good choice for field use especially for a Western theatre impression. Any other slouch would be a private purchase of a civilian style which were typically black, brown, or grey.

 

[Legion Para]

What do these photographs and video tell you?

15th Iowa, 150th Anniversary of Shiloh.

 

[Bfd807]

They tell me, I need to do more research before asking stupid questions.
Thank you very much for posting them they help tremendously.

 

[Tin cup]

I am wondering if there were Dark Blue slouch hats for federal troops. I was told that a blue slouch would be a good alternate headwear as it would help keep ears from frying in summertime. My problem is I can not find a Blue one anywhere, Black, Grey and Brown but no Blue. I verified the color and where to purchase from my NCO. I tried said company and they only make BK and GRY. Any help is appreciated on where to find one.
Thank you and Happy New Year

All it takes is a question, you sometimes get amazed where it will lead you:
If you are on Facebook, I'd inquire with: https://www.facebook.com/samilescompany/
Then I would look at these also:
http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/usemdresshats.htm.html
http://clearwaterhats.com/civil-war/ for civilian head wear.

Kevin Dally

 

[Legion Para]

They tell me, I need to do more research before asking stupid questions.
Thank you very much for posting them they help tremendously.

Respectfully @Bfd807 there are no stupid questions. If you don't ask, you don't learn. In this age of technology and the Internet, an amazing amount of information is almost immediately at your fingertips.

The combined knowledge of this Forum is incredible. Please don't be afraid to use it. Post threads openly or send private messages to forum members.

 

[Tin cup]

I am wondering if there were Dark Blue slouch hats for federal troops. I was told that a blue slouch would be a good alternate headwear as it would help keep ears from frying in summertime. My problem is I can not find a Blue one anywhere, Black, Grey and Brown but no Blue. I verified the color and where to purchase from my NCO. I tried said company and they only make BK and GRY. Any help is appreciated on where to find one.
Thank you and Happy New Year

I can't emphasize enough if you order/buy a slouch hat, Hardee, or civilian style, don't buy a cheap one. A good hat goes a long ways in creating an impression. Many of us were fortunate to have a feller named Tim Bender to buy hats from, his quality was legendary, but he's gone out of business. I'm partial to black in color for a slouch hat in the ranks, especially for a Union impression. Just my personal opinion.

Kevin Dally

 

[Legion Para]

Do a goggle search for Tim Bender hats. If you like them there is still hope. Quite a few pop up on the secondary market on a regular basis. Some in brand new condition.

Be patient and a high quality slouch hat can be had for a reasonable price.

Follow the 'For Sale Section: on authentic-campaigner.com or on Facebook.

 

[Bfd807]

Anyone have dealings with Dirty Billy's Hats? Good or Bad ?
Thanks

 

[zburkett]

Bfd807, There are no stupid questions. There is always someone like who wants the answer but never got around to asking. Thank you.

 

[captaindrew]

Anyone have dealings with Dirty Billy's Hats? Good or Bad ?
Thanks

I have a Dirty Billy's hat. Great product, just be prepared to wait for it unless he has what you want in your size in stock. As with most of the high end campaigner products from any of those type sutlers most of the products are made to order so it's usually a 2-3 month wait.

 

[kbaxley45]

If you are on Facebook there is "Goober Grabber Headwear", run by Avery Miller. He has expanded his business into slouch hats. I believe his prices are very competitive with the other makers and turn around time is not as long as with, say, a Dirty Billy hat. The page is publicly viewable, even if you don't have an account, so, you can at least check out his work. Hope this helps!

https://www.facebook.com/GooberGrabberHeadwear/

 

[kbaxley45]

I am wondering if there were Dark Blue slouch hats for federal troops. I was told that a blue slouch would be a good alternate headwear as it would help keep ears from frying in summertime. My problem is I can not find a Blue one anywhere, Black, Grey and Brown but no Blue. I verified the color and where to purchase from my NCO. I tried said company and they only make BK and GRY. Any help is appreciated on where to find one.
Thank you and Happy New Year

I agree with everyone else here so far. You're going to be hard-pressed to find a correct blue slouch hat, and a black or dark brown one (at the very least) would be a better choice.

 

[2rivcob73]

No question is a stupid question we are all here to help

 

[Tailor Pete]

If you are on Facebook there is "Goober Grabber Headwear", run by Avery Miller. He has expanded his business into slouch hats. I believe his prices are very competitive with the other makers and turn around time is not as long as with, say, a Dirty Billy hat. The page is publicly viewable, even if you don't have an account, so, you can at least check out his work. Hope this helps!

https://www.facebook.com/GooberGrabberHeadwear/

Thanks for this link. His stuff looks pretty good!

 

[Patrick H]

Please allow a related question: What kind of hat did Gen. Sherman wear? He famously wore it with a rounded, unshaped crown. The crown was not near high enough to be a Hardee hat. In fact, except for the color, it looks very much like the first slouch hat pictured in post #8.

 

[Badgercwcollector]

They tell me, I need to do more research before asking stupid questions.
Thank you very much for posting them they help tremendously.

You can get in the "Stupid Question" line behind me. I'm also in the line for "Stupid Answers" too. lol

 

[Badgercwcollector]

Anyone have dealings with Dirty Billy's Hats? Good or Bad ?
Thanks

I like mine

 

[zburkett]

Come on, the only stupid question is the one you need an answer to but don't ask.

 

[Package4]

Anyone have dealings with Dirty Billy's Hats? Good or Bad ?
Thanks

I'm prejudiced, Billy is a good friend and can make the best hat out there, that said, he somewhat mass markets to both the tourist and reenactor trade (read into what you want). Best thing to do is get him on the phone and tell him what your are looking for, a good slouch should be butter soft and floppy, not the stiff wear you see today. Hardee hats are the exception. A trick of the Civil War dealer trade on original repairs to a Hardee, that has lost its stiffness is to spray with sugar water while it is on a hat form, stiffens it right up.........