Union Forage Cap

[Larryh86GT]

I purchased this poor beat up Union forage cap recently. It's leather bill was crudely chopped up
by someone for a reason that just escapes me. It had a liner at one time that no longer exists
except for some remnants of cloth around the inside top of the cap. The fiberboard filler on
top shows punctures in it. Under the fiberboard piece it shows to have the top of the cap
was hand sewn on. The brass buttons on the chin strap are still pretty shiny but their pins
inside the cap are tarnished. The chin strap sewing is coming undone. It was hard to take photos
of the brass buttons but I did my best. The color of the cap is hard to tell from the photos
as the flash washed out the blue color but it is dark blue. I bought it because the looks of
it appealed to me. I think it looks cool. So what do you folks think about it?

 

[Package4]

I purchased this poor beat up Union forage cap recently. It's leather bill was crudely chopped up
by someone for a reason that just escapes me. It had a liner at one time that no longer exists
except for some remnants of cloth around the inside top of the cap. The fiberboard filler on
top shows punctures in it. Under the fiberboard piece it shows to have the top of the cap
was hand sewn on. The brass buttons on the chin strap are still pretty shiny but their pins
inside the cap are tarnished. The chin strap sewing is coming undone. It was hard to take photos
of the brass buttons but I did my best. The color of the cap is hard to tell from the photos
as the flash washed out the blue color but it is dark blue. I bought it because the looks of
it appealed to me. I think it looks cool. So what do you folks think about it?

Larry, sorry, not even close, it is a very bad reproduction. All M1858 forage caps have a reed top and one around the brim, the material is much finer, the stitching is completely different and the brim is much thinner. The buttons are reproductions held on by wires not the period type sewn on. Please see pictures, both are identified caps, the first was issued in 1861 and the second in 1864:

 

[Package4]

Also notice how thin the sweatband is:

 

[Malingerer]

I'm gonna' go out on a limb and say it's a C&D jarnagin circa 1988.

 

[mofederal]

It struck me as a repro from the first picture. Not an original.

 

[Package4]

Examples of five other forage caps and one kepi, notice the reed around the top of all of the forage caps. All of these are also I'd. The center two are private purchase and have bound brims.

 

[Package4]

I purchased this poor beat up Union forage cap recently. It's leather bill was crudely chopped up
by someone for a reason that just escapes me. It had a liner at one time that no longer exists
except for some remnants of cloth around the inside top of the cap. The fiberboard filler on
top shows punctures in it. Under the fiberboard piece it shows to have the top of the cap
was hand sewn on. The brass buttons on the chin strap are still pretty shiny but their pins
inside the cap are tarnished. The chin strap sewing is coming undone. It was hard to take photos
of the brass buttons but I did my best. The color of the cap is hard to tell from the photos
as the flash washed out the blue color but it is dark blue. I bought it because the looks of
it appealed to me. I think it looks cool. So what do you folks think about it?

Just as an FYI, post a picture first and we'll let you know if you should pull the trigger, of course if you like the look and didn't pay an original forage cap price, hey good deal.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Just as an FYI, post a picture first and we'll let you know if you should pull the trigger, of course if you like the look and didn't pay an original forage cap price, hey good deal.

Thanks folks. It wasn't an original forage cap price or anywhere close to it. I was thinking an older reproduction
from it's looks though.

 

[Package4]

Thanks folks. It wasn't an original forage cap price or anywhere close to it. I was thinking an older reproduction
from it's looks though.

Buy one from Dirty Billy, put it on the dash of your car, rotating it every week and you'll have a sweet looking cap that is faded just right.

 

[Tailor Pete]

View attachment 185668

Examples of five other forage caps and one kepi, notice the reed around the top of all of the forage caps. All of these are also I'd. The center two are private purchase and have bound brims.

Great points all... I've also noticed that MOST original forage caps are made from a bit lighter weight fabric than most Sutlers' Row caps. As for the reed, however...

In all my research, I've ID'ed two original, contract Forage Caps that lack the reed. A rarity for sure, but it does happen. In my experience, depot manufactured Forage Caps have always had the reed.

 

[sjw83071]

Is the "reed" what is sometimes called the welt?

 

[Tailor Pete]

You are correct, sir. Reed and Welt are the same animal.

 

[Package4]

Great points all... I've also noticed that MOST original forage caps are made from a bit lighter weight fabric than most Sutlers' Row caps. As for the reed, however...

In all my research, I've ID'ed two original, contract Forage Caps that lack the reed. A rarity for sure, but it does happen. In my experience, depot manufactured Forage Caps have always had the reed.

I would love to see examples of those as I have yet to view one from an inspected entity. I have been studying ACW cloth for over 20 years and have yet to see one of these, not saying that these do not exist. Do you have pictures or know where I may find them?

 

[Package4]

Keep in mind that the reed is covered in cloth forming what looks like a welt, which is just a rolled piece of fabric or leather. I have seen these with reeds and on some kepis metal; below is a forage cap with the reed evident cap is I'd to Noah Gebphart Co K 138th PA.

 

[Package4]

Also the above forage cap actually shows no evidence of the reed other than the break in the cloth, if that break were not there, the reed is so flimsy and most likely broken in places that it doesn't appear extant.

 

[Package4]

In addition, forage caps were reinforced with buckram as a stiffener approximately 2"-3"in height, behind the sweatband and liner around the circumference of the cap. Period Buckram is no longer available but is similar to todays burlap. Caps then had a polished cotton liner, usually brown, but some specimens have been noted in black. You can see evidence of the buckram stiffener through the moth holes in the front of the cap.

 

[Tailor Pete]

In addition, forage caps were reinforced with buckram as a stiffener approximately 2"-3"in height, behind the sweatband and liner around the circumference of the cap. Period Buckram is no longer available but is similar to todays burlap. Caps then had a polished cotton liner, usually brown, but some specimens have been noted in black. You can see evidence of the buckram stiffener through the moth holes in the front of the cap.

I've always had a difficult time getting my burlap to 'stiffen' up. Any suggestions?

As for 'reedless' forage caps, I will try to delve into my photos to see if I can find them. Its been years, and I've slept since then! LOL

 

[7thWisconsin]

I'll agree with the Jarnigan identification, but it is older than 88. Mid 70s.