Posted 14 years ago
cocacolaki…
(132 items)
I think I may have something here. It maybe a confederate civil war hat, probably hand made. The outside is a blue wool, appears hand stitched, with a leather strap and viser. It could be a reanactment hat, but I'm not sure. It has a name, and it looks old. The inside of it has a pillow case/ bed sheet kinda cloth. There are sweat marks, the cloth just feels old. I think the strap could of been replaced, cause it looks so new, and it dosen't go down, ruining the purpose of the strap. The buttons look old as well. If it's a replica/ reproduction, it's a very well made one.
The button should be back marked either "Superior Quality" or "Buckley & Co." and also should be a 2 piece button. Alberts Military button book list as an Army General Service 2 Piece.
I can't really read the back, but I think I can't see any lettering. But the buttons are too good of quality, and/ or have good patina on it for them to be replicas.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~haywood/cwquest/gmartin.htm
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/harrison/bios/martin.txt
and there are two buttons. one on each side.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/harrison/bios/martin.txt
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~haywood/cwquest/gmartin.htm
i found these:
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~haywood/cwquest/gmartin.htm
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/harrison/bios/martin.txt
I looked on ancestery too a year ago. It turns out there was 100s to 1000s of george w. martins in the confederate states
lol wow.
Check out this page, maybe help ID the button.
http://relicman.com/buttons/zArchiveButtonConGovA2GenService.htm
There could be lettering, but could be very faint. I can remove the button, and I think easily put it back on.
But there's also possibility that it could be wartime manufactorer and not have a compmay name on it
I just noticed the hat liner, that would have been bed ticking, common material from that period for mattresses and pillow cases.
If this hat turns out to be fake, I'll just take the buttons. They are probably original
Like I said, I think it's homemade, and not company manufactured. And they ordered, or bought the buttons. And hand stiched everything. But I think it was restored or something because the strap dosen't work like it's supossed to. But it could be just for looks.
I really don't know, maybe I have something special here. But most likely, I think that it maybe a reanactment hat. It's in too good of shape, and I think they used antique parts to make it look realistic close up. This hat is truly a mystery. I have common bad luck of buying things that are on the edge of being fake or being real.
Maybe it could be real, and onced was restored at a time. But do you think it's genuine?
actully, I found this piece in the south. Specificly florida, and I got over 230 results on ancestery.
Plsu, I wouldn't think it would be in print. Didn't everybody get schooled to write in cursive?
hatband is smooth, and does darken at forehead
There are more factors then I thought, would you think the strap was replaced at one time? Becasue, it doesn't have an adjuster on it, so, it completely ruins the purpose of it. It it looks like it has no wear.
I'ts real .
How much do you think it's worth?
yea it blue most confederate hat were gray but some where a very light blue because it looked gray it thinking replica or reanactment
http://www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/Union-Blue-Enlisted-Kepi-No-Insignia~C000267.cfm
$30 on other sites.
Buttons, too...
http://winchestersutler.com/BUTN.html
AR8Jason, I would NEVER sell anything that intrest someone to the point that they would want to see it in person. I'm pretty sure my town's museum, Michigan Historical Museum, can tell something of an idea of how this could be real or authentic. I bought for 20 bucks at a Civil War booth in an antique mall. The guy had a variety of Civil War artifacts, I just wish he was there that day to tell me more about it. blair, it wouldn't be a fake or an reanactment hat because, why would it have CSA buttons on it, be blue, and someone to throw it on and be a confederate??? Like Jason said, if it was a replica/ reproduction it would be gray. It would've also cost alot of money to make, since it looks to be hand made, with bed tick, thick leather, staining/ blacking of brown forehead leather from years of wear. And brown sweat stains in the cloth. It certanly shows lots of wear for it being a replica...
But once I find out about it i'll tell everybody about this one-of-a kind find.
I was just looking at a Prussian military helmet and the thing that sticks out to me is ....The prussian helmet is much newer (ww1 era) but appears to be much older than your civil war era hat . Just a thought ,Jack
Sorry, but it looks like a reenactor item.
These are made today to outfit reenactors in clothing that closely resembles Civil War era construction. It is important to most reenactors to be "historically correct". Many different companies (Sutlers) sell these items.
The underside of the chin strap is very telling-- there is absolutely no age to it. The head band edge also shows it is new. The bed ticking material in the liner is also pristine.
The name (as commented earlier) is in modern writing and probably indicates the reenactor's name.
Scott
I agree with Scott.
scott, then why is it blue? seems to make sense that it would be gray or some other color for a reeanactment. Plus, I had a feeling that this was for a reeanactment.
Many early war uniforms on BOTH sides were blue-- caused much confusion.
Additionally, many early war Northern militia uniforms are gray in color.
Scott
AR8Jason, I am interested because I have not been able to find anything else like it. I collect unique items (check out my items) and this would go great with my collection.
I also like it because it is a puzzle. I enjoy buying items and doing research to try to determine their past. I like items with mysterious histories and this fits the bill.
I am sure you will because I doubt if we are in the same region.