Hat

[Bootsctm]

I portray a soldier from the western region. I was wondering what would be appropriate head wear? Right now I wear a derby. Someone told me to shellac it to make it more authentic? What do you think! Or should I get a different hat all together?
Thanks for input!

[Pvt. Sanders]

CS or US?

If US get you a well used Hardee, if CS get you a well used slouch hat. Post a WTB add and see what turns up. Take time to look at photographs and it will help as well. Good luck

[Bootsctm]

I normally do a union impression.
My question is did many soldiers wear a hardy hat except for the iron brigade?

[LibertyHallVols]

I normally do a union impression.
My question is did many soldiers wear a hardy hat except for the iron brigade?

Absolutely yes. It was the army's issue dress hat for the whole war and was widely used. There is nothing unit-specific about it. Money invested in a top-quality hat is well-spent.

[jademonkey]

I normally do a union impression.
My question is did many soldiers wear a hardy hat except for the iron brigade?

To follow Wick's comment, if you are portraying a western Federal soldier, an undressed and even distressed Hardee (dress hat) will be your best bet. Look at photographs of troops serving in the Chattanooga and Atlanta Campaigns, with few exceptions, the undress Hardee is the most common hat seen. I would recommend Tim Bender's dress hats. So yes, i'd start over. To provide a fuller compliment to your impression, i'd also pick up a quality forage cap as well, but if your primary impression is a western Fed - the undressed Hardee will be your "go to" headgear.

[Pvt. Sanders]

You do Western Fed, then yes a Hardee hat is what you should be wearing, as the war dragged on some men and officers purchased civilian hats, usually black. So if money is tight , get a black slouch hat from Bender, Clear Water, or Tim Allen and you can wear it for CS and US. If you have the extra cash get you a Hardee from Bender. I wouldn't worry about spending the money on the dress items for the Hardee, most men lost or took off those items. For soldiers, their hats were one of the most important pieces of their gear. Not only did it protect them from the elements and make a good pillow, it was an expression of who they were. Men both North and South wore all kinds of different style hats, after purchasing one they would shape their hats in a manor that suited them, and some would make a final touch by wearing their hats cocked to the side. Nothing ruins an impression like a bad hat. So spend the extra bucks and get you a well made hat. You won't regret it, it will last longer, be accurate, and you can still sell it used for a good price if you need to down the road. I like buying used items personally because it has that already broken in look and are much cheaper. Again, look at photos. Sorry, didn't mean to rant, hope this helped.

[S.D.Swart]

Hardee hat is the way to go. That said, if you look at period photos of western troops, most of those hats are Hardee but have been reformed by the soldiers. Telescoped down, creased, and the brims being turned in all kinds of shapes.

S.D.Swart

[Micah Trent]

Here is an image of the boys in the 9th IN Company A. A great image showing various styles and modifications.

[Artyman]

There is a website dedicated to bowler hats. check it out. It says there were more bowlers (derbys) worn out west than cowboy hats, especially in the 1890's. That being said, we don't see that many in period pics. Besides, you'd look like Stymie Beard (Little Rascals) if you wear one, except for the grin of course.

Harry

[German Volunteer]

If you look on fotos like that of the 9th In.- and there are many- you will see that civilian hats of a dark colour, black and I think brown to, were widely used in the Western theatre.