GAR Hat - late 1800's

[ScottF]

I generally stay away from this sort of thing, but this one's genuine, although I don't know if the 1875 auction house date is accurate. Bottom is from an 1890 Ward's catalogue.

From auction: Remains of maker's label from Lynn, Mass. Hat cord is that of a Civil War Officer with gold bullion acorns and slide with black mesh. Stamped brass GAR wreath surmounted by 5 (Mass. Post #5 was in Lynn) on black wool felt backing, affixed to the front. A black ostrich feather plume affixed at the side.

 

[Garrett]

Good stuff, Scott!

 

[HeyMoe]

Nice.

I have a full GAR uniform to include medical officer sword (owner was a doc in the civil war) and a photo of the fella in the uniform. I do need a hat to complete the collection though.

 

[RBH]

Cool!

 

[ScottF]

Nice.

I have a full GAR uniform to include medical officer sword (owner was a doc in the civil war) and a photo of the fella in the uniform. I do need a hat to complete the collection though.

Sweet. If I get tired of this one, I'll contact you. I would really liked to have won the Indian Wars slouch that went for about $1.7K, but then I'd be collecting again. Hahaha...ha......ha......doh! <=== I'm broke!!!

 

[ScottF]

This hat finally arrived. It's felt (not wool), and is black. The pin on the front was only partly attached, so I put it in the pair of holes where it appeared to have been most often. It has one of those cotton-like bands under the sweat, but the sweatband is thin and a bit dry, so I'm not going to flip it. Also, not going to brush - jus leave totally as-is. Being of Confederate ancestry, I have no real attachment to this, but it was priced right and too cool to not at least get a look at. From what I've seen, these hats were probably purchased en masse by Yankee veterans in the 1870's, worn regularly at their various Yankee functions, the hats worn out and replaced every few years, keeping the same regalia, until the blue-coat finally died belatedly.

I haven't seen a size tag like this - it appears to be a large 6 and a small 8, probably part of it is missing. The hat was advertised as 1870's - any thoughts?

 

[zetwal]

That's an exciting find.

 

[ScottF]

That's an exciting find.

I love historical stuff like this. There was an 1890's 'Indian wars' hat on ebay that actually belonged to a distant ancestor of mine from the wrong side of the family tree - I passed on it and it went for around $700. Lots of regret over that one. Recently another 'Indian Wars' hat that was even cooler, went for around $1,200. It's hard to fish these out from amongst all the fakes.

 

[zetwal]

Hopefully, if your long term goal is to sell it, you can one day connect it to the right buyer at an advantageous price.

 

[Garrett]

Good stuff, Scott :eusa_clap

 

[ScottF]

Hopefully, if your long term goal is to sell it, you can one day connect it to the right buyer at an advantageous price.

I don't plan to sell it, but if it were a grey Confederate hat I could say that with 99% certainty. It did not cost so much that I will need to sell to pay rent, and it will display well with another historical hat that I should have by Christmas. All that being said, the gf is moving in around Christmas, so her ideas about what 'displays well' in our home might be different from mine.

If I do decide to sell it, I'll first scour the board to contact the appropriate lounger(s).

 

[zetwal]

I don't plan to sell it, but if it were a grey Confederate hat I could say that with 99% certainty. It did not cost so much that I will need to sell to pay rent, and it will display well with another historical hat that I should have by Christmas. All that being said, the gf is moving in around Christmas, so her ideas about what 'displays well' in our home might be different from mine.

If I do decide to sell it, I'll first scour the board to contact the appropriate lounger(s).

Should make for a great display. So your friend is moving in ... that's exciting as well. By the way, can we see the side with the feather at some point?

 

[ScottF]

Should make for a great display. So your friend is moving in ... that's exciting as well. By the way, can we see the side with the feather at some point?

Thanks - it is very exciting, although it's our third try at this

I don't know what the story is with the feather - it would be falling apart if original. There is no moth damage whatsoever - the marks on the front are from former locations of the badge and don't really show too much in real life. These are the auction pics, which aren't so great - I'll get some better ones later.

 

[zetwal]

I do hope that it works out. And thanks for the additional photos.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Very cool! I've been half-heartedly looking for one (from the other side, though.)

 

[Joshbru3]

VERY cool, Scott. I love stuff from the civil war and slightly after. I love seeing the hatting techniques that were employed back then and comparing them to the techniques used in the early 20th century. EXCELLENT FIND!!!!!:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

 

[ScottF]

VERY cool, Scott. I love stuff from the civil war and slightly after. I love seeing the hatting techniques that were employed back then and comparing them to the techniques used in the early 20th century. EXCELLENT FIND!!!!!:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

Thanks. Regarding the hatting techniques, that's where I was hoping someone like Robert or Dinerman would jump in and give opinions. I haven't seen much dating info on getting specific within the period of 1870-1920. The fact that the auction house claimed 1870s means nothing to me - I would much rather have the opinion of one of the experts here.

Here is a very interesting website for old Civil War clothing and accessories, but his hat dates are miles off in some cases; still, a very nice guy to discuss things with (Russ). Please don't email him to tell him his hats are dated incorrectly - I've already done that and will probably be working with him soon to correct: http://www.volunteerrelics.com/hats.html

 

[ScottF]

Very cool! I've been half-heartedly looking for one (from the other side, though.)

Tom, I think a Confederate one will cost you an arm and a leg. I generally follow all the large auction houses - if I spot one that I don't think I can snag I'll let you know.

 

[Joshbru3]

One technique that I have noticed on hats from the 1870's and 1880's is in the sweatband. Modern sweatbands are sewn completely flush with the brim break on inside the crown. A good amount of hats from the 1860's - 1880's have sweatbands that are sewn ever so slightly above the brim break so the sweatband follows the break at a 90 degree angle. I have a hat from the 1880's with this technique, I just don't have any pictures of it right this second. The sweatbands were also wonderfully wide much like the bands used in the 1890's and early 1900's. It seems like many of the techniques remained unchanged from the 1860's through the turn of the 20th century. The same materials seemed to be used as well. Just an observation though.

Thanks for the website!! The pictures of the old civil war hats are wonderful!

 

[alanfgag]

Very interesting find, Scott... I'm looking forward to your photos. I received a 1930s Stetson No.1 quality campaign hat in close to mint condition. I had wondered about the acorns. My wife thought they were wood, but they appear to be painted fibre of some sort. Looking at the link you provided, similar ones seem to be straw or horsehair. They are very similar to the the ones on your hat.