Union headgear

[musketbal]

Hi,
In your humble opinon, who makes the most authentic Federal headgear ie. kepi, bummer ect.? I have always portayed confederate inf. My anncestors were from both sides. Since I would like to purchase a uniform representing the First Maryland Eastern Shore Inf,Co.K (Somerset County),I would like it to be as authentic as possible. I already have ordered a sack coat from John Wedeward.
Headgear and trousers would be my next purchase.All my leather gear will convert from my confederate impression.My confederate uniform was made by "Woofie" Jim Warehime. Richmond Depot, Type 1.Absolutely the best!!!



Respectfully Submitted,
A. Brent Conner

[Slickrick214]

The three I know of that makes good quality, authentic headwear for the Civil War era is Dirty Billy's, Tim Bender, and Greg Starbucks.

Dirty Billy-http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/

Tim Bender-http://www.benderhats.com/hats1.html

I'm not sure if Greg Starbucks has a website. I think his hats are for sale at Ej Merchantile and S&S Sutler.

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

You could also give N J Sekala a try. I just saw his federal forage hats this last weekend and they are nice.

Andrew Schultz

[tater]

Sekela makes a GREAT forage cap. Thats what I wear (liked it better than billys)

[Abrams]

Tim Bender is my hat maker, and his worksmanship, service and quality is top notch.

[Slickrick214]

My hat maker is Dirty Billy. I know alot of people seem to have turned away from him now in favor of Greg Starbucks and Tim Bender but I love the hats he makes. They're good quality, authentic hats. The overall structure is good, the stitching is very tight and strong. I'm just a fan of the stuff he makes. I still believe that he makes good quality stuff and he's still one of the best hat makers out there when it comes to Civil War headgear.

[Pvt Peck]

NJ Sekela for Federal Forage caps both issue, and private purchase, types. Nick's caps are absolute works of art. Greg Starbuck makes fantastic caps as well, though I'm not sure if he is making Federal enlisted caps currently. For the 1858 Dress Hat, Tim Bender is the man, Tim's hats are art and he is one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to deal with. Might try Don Smith at Trans Missippi Depot for forage caps as well. Joe Hoffman of Jersey Skillet Licker fame carried caps made by a few different fellows that were top drawer as well, sadly Joe is out of the game now I believe.

[jschw90]

I got my cap through Jersey Skillet Licker when he was having a deal on them. I'm pretty sure it was made by Mike Anderson.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

When you ask a question like that, its like asking "who makes the best car?" or "what style of pizza is better, Chicago or New York?". You're going to get 75 different answers from 100 people. What you need to ask yourself is, "compared to the originals, who makes the best Federal hats and caps?" It will narrow the playing field a little you will find. For those who've had the ability to look at original caps and hats, most will tell you there are several traits that are mostly the same in all as far as construction and material, and then there are varieties that defy most convention (and regulations). Many of those previously mentioned above have viewed or owned many originals and that is what gives them the edge of anyone in the field. For my educated dollar Dirty Billy makes the best forage caps followed very, very closely by N.J. Sekela and Greg Starbuck (who I don't believe is making many, if any, Federal enlisted headgear). Hats such as the Hardee Hat (dress hat) can be procured from Dirty Billy or Tim Bender and you'll be pleased with either. Another reasonable option is Joe Blunt (mudcatsgt@earthlink.net) for Federal kepis and forage caps.

[Poor Private]

Carefull you'l sound like runway models discusing who makes the best Haute Coutier. Isn't that what some people accuse the Auth/pro/hard of doing?? Didn't Rob Hodges say about the same thing??:D

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Carefull you'l sound like runway models discusing who makes the best Haute Coutier. Isn't that what some people accuse the Auth/pro/hard of doing?? Didn't Rob Hodges say about the same thing??:D
Its haute couture and we're not even in the same realm as fashion and lifestyles of the hobnobbers and get riches! Have you tried to price out high fashion lately? $550 for a Fed frockcoat is a bluelight special to these folks!

[tompritchett]

Carefull you'l sound like runway models discusing who makes the best Haute Coutier.

Remember, the original poster asked a question on who the members here thought "makes the most authentic Federal headgear ie. kepi, bummer ect." As far as I am concerned all the replies have been attempts to answer that original question. In a few cases the posters did specify that his opinion was based upon personal experience with the recommended vendor's product.

[musketbal]

Thanks Tom, I should have asked why people (Their opinon) believe one supplier may be more authentic. I didn't mean to put any one down, I just wanted imput because I am interested in authenticity. I know quite abit about confederate Maryland uniforms, but not too much on the Federal uniforms and accessories. I have always portrayed confederate.Hope this didn't cause any problems.

Brent C.

[tompritchett]

Thanks Tom, I should have asked why people (Their opinon) believe one supplier may be more authentic. I didn't mean to put any one down, I just wanted imput because I am interested in authenticity.

No problem. That is one of the reasons that this forum exists. My comment was for Poor Private who seemed to have problems with people answering your question.

[Guy Gane III]

I've had good fortune with Chris Semancik's forage cap (Type 1 - small disk and half moon bill). I also have had the pleasure of wearing both the NJS caps (L.J.& I. Phillips - Type 1 & 2 - bigger disk and squared bill), along with a Private Purchase cap from NJS.

All are good, but I favor the Chris cap. Just my opinion!

As for hats, I like both DB and Tim Bender. Both are well made and correct.

[MtVernon]

Carefull you'l sound like runway models discusing who makes the best Haute Coutier. Isn't that what some people accuse the Auth/pro/hard of doing?? Didn't Rob Hodges say about the same thing??:D

Yes, but everyone ought to consider that we all start somewhere, some don't have access to the information we all covet, and there's a need to respect that. I understand why made your comment, and it's a valid point, but seeing that this guy has posted only 12 times tells me he's new to the hobby, really wants to know, and is seeing online forii like this one and others as part of the research and discovery. Let's stoke the interest and then keep it by trying to meet him where he is and then explain how to become someone others can turn to for advice. I think the more guarded we are and the more exacting we are with respect to questions like these, the more we'll e-slap the hands of those who just are asking a question. I'm not trying to single you out, and your comments were good natured. I just don't want to see people publicly humiliated for asking a rudimentary question when they're only starting to make inroads into this online culture.

Aside from that, the McDowell cap made by Mr. Sekela is the finest cap I own.

[Pvt Peck]

I believe the cap I got from Joe Hoffman I referenced in an earlier post is by Chris Semancik, and it is a real corker, I mean it is beautiful! I made a few McDowell caps back in the early 80's, and reworked some Jarnagin caps as well, let me tell you the forage cap is probably only bested by a frock coat for difficulty of construction! If you are lucky, and the planets line up right you may be able to score a PaulSmith or Joe Covias (New Columbia, a true pioneer) cap used. I also have a really nice cap by Brad Keune (may have mis-spelled his name), but i'm not sure if Brad is still making them, he is a true gentleman. Whoever you chose, get a good cap and it can make all the difference to an impression as it really tops it off (pun intended).

Ted Parrott