What is on this man's hat?

[Mike Serpa]

Assistant engineers at headquarters Army of Potomac, November, 1864. LOC #34232

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Gee whiz. Are there 2 things? Is that a fly, as in fly fishing hanging from the back? Or do both have something to do with those pipes? Not like I know what I'm talking about- clueless. Just so nosy. If reenactors do not know, maybe pipe smokers, fly fishermen or hat wearers will. Or sitters on boxes. Trying to widen the field.

 

[CMWinkler]

I don't think there's anything at all. It looks like it's just the way the light plays on his battered hat to me.

 

[TinCan]

Me too.

 

[Seduzal]

I don't think there's anything at all. It looks like it's just the way the light plays on his battered hat to me.

Me too. When you wear a old wore out hat a long time the hat changes to the way of where, it maintains the shape of your head. Rickles and all, then the light hits it and then you can see how the light plays.

 

[FarawayFriend]

But if it was something ... the first thing that came to my mind was a piece of a horse's headgear or stirrup. That man maybe was an eccentric ... " I cannot think about building pontoon bridges if I'm not allowed to wear my lucky stirrup on my hat ..."

 

[DixieRifles]

Me 4.
His battered hat may have some tears that help form that shape. I can seem to make out a tear sticking up on the very back of the hat.

 

[Poor Private]

Looks like the price tag is still on it- Minnie Pearl. Or is it a porcupine bone(reenactorism)?

 

[Mild53]

If you look on page 33 of Smith's guide to obscure cw insignia you will see an exact match for the item on front. It's a badge for front end loader drivers. My guess on the fly is that it's for the famed company from Colorado. " the Wild Cuthroats".

 

[Mike Serpa]

All their hats and clothes seem to be in excellent condition. Even the tent has no wear.