Now Forming! the Campaign Hat Corps

[MNote]

 

[liten]

I understand that they did come with chinstraps and felt grommets. Mike @ Northwest Hats probably would have done anything that I wanted, but I didn't need the chinstrap. The originals weren't lined, either. I understand that a lining kind of defeats the purpose of the side vents, but I requested the liner anyway. Mike added a couple of other nice details as well. I'll see whether I can upload some more pictures.

and the main reason for no liners , would been the extra cost ias well , keeping the cost down on the hats was high priorty back then

 

[Dick Dressler]

I've found a hat I think will possibly lend itself to modifying into a M1899 SAW campaigner.
Looking for the proper ribbon and will trim the brim from 3.5" to 3.0". Then, three rows of stitching.
It's a used Restistol from eBay...

 

[RJR]

I've found a hat I think will possibly lend itself to modifying into a M1899 SAW campaigner.
Looking for the proper ribbon and will trim the brim from 3.5" to 3.0". Then, three rows of stitching.
It's a used Restistol from eBay... View attachment 46699

That should work nicely.Please post pics when you complete the conversion.

 

[Dick Dressler]

That should work nicely.Please post pics when you complete the conversion.

Thaks, I'm not certain how long the process will take but I plan make the transition as close to an original as possible.
If anyone knows what material the original ribbon was made out of I'd like to try and find some. Been looking at eBay for 5/8" cross grain tan silk, cotton or satin blend(s).

Dick

 

[Dick Dressler]

Does anyone know what is the closest color of the ribbon is- tan; light brown; brown??
Also the original type material the ribbon is made of...?

 

[liten]

Thaks, I'm not certain how long the process will take but I plan make the transition as close to an original as possible.
If anyone knows what material the original ribbon was made out of I'd like to try and find some. Been looking at eBay for 5/8" cross grain tan silk, cotton or satin blend(s).

Dick

most of guys that have made up hats on this site , have got there ribbon from BRITEX

 

[liten]

Does anyone know what is the closest color of the ribbon is- tan; light brown; brown??
Also the original type material the ribbon is made of...?

Does anyone know what is the closest color of the ribbon is- tan; light brown; brown??
Also the original type material the ribbon is made of...?

your best to get a ribbon color that suits your shade of hat, there was no hard and fast rule on the ribbon color, because the shade of the drab hat was never the same back then, they varied in color from contract to contract

 

[Dick Dressler]

OK, thanks for the info. I kind of thought that was the case. I'll wait till the hat arrives before making a color decision.
I found 1" brass screen vents on eBay...looks like it may be coming together.

 

[liten]

OK, thanks for the info. I kind of thought that was the case. I'll wait till the hat arrives before making a color decision.
I found 1" brass screen vents on eBay...looks like it may be coming together.

the 1899 s vents were black on brass

 

[Dick Dressler]

I don't think I've noticed any black on brass vents but I think they must be out there. Thanks very much for the clarification.

 

[liten]

the 1899 s vents were black on brass

 

[liten]

there out there $40 a pair

 

[Dick Dressler]

Where...?

 

[liten]

Where...?

Walter budd military goods? he has some old stock left over from w stokes kirk,

 

[Dick Dressler]

No grommets appear to be available on the website that i could see. I ordered some 1" black mesh grommets form eBay.
My hat should be here Thurs....looking forward to getting started on it.

 

[Dick Dressler]

My eBay 3X felt Resistol arrived this morning. The color is a little dark but it may fade lighter. During the period they may were probably inconsistent anyway.

I reformed to what best portrayed the SAW period. Holes were measured and cut for the grommets and test fit. Not certain if I'll go with the shiny brass and let them darken, on their own, try some gun blue or fit some black ones, then rub some of the finish off to simulate wear.

The brim will be trimmed to spec, three row stitching and 5/8" ribbon applied.

I'll be a stylin' Huckleberry Pierre'

 

[liten]

My eBay 3X felt Resistol arrived this morning. The color is a little dark but it may fade lighter. During the period they may were probably inconsistent anyway.

I reformed to what best portrayed the SAW period. Holes were measured and cut for the grommets and test fit. Not certain if I'll go with the shiny brass and let them darken, on their own, try some gun blue or fit some black ones, then rub some of the finish off to simulate wear.

The brim will be trimmed to spec, three row stitching and 5/8" ribbon applied.

I'll be a stylin' Huckleberry Pierre'

i would sand the vents, paint them matt black, ive found the best rule for shaping these hats is 53/4 centre height and the ends about 5"

 

[Dick Dressler]

The center is 5-3/4, the rear 5", and a little forward slope to the crease brings the front to about 4". The shape may be subject to change but I think it looks good for now - not sure what I'll so about the vents yet.

I thought the ribbon would show up today, but maybe tomorrow. I'll be looking into the brim stitching today.

Thanks for the input...

 

[Dick Dressler]

The brim has been cut down from 3.5" all around to 3.0" sides and 2-3/4" sides. Brass vents were subdued with gun blue and rubbed off then the ribbon hat band and bow added. The bow was time consuming figuring it out at first but I enjoyed learning how to do it. During the process of sewing it on the existing leather sweat band came apart but I have a used brown leather sweat band and hope to get it sewn in. I guess the hat band and bow will have to be removed first.
It's been a fun process and look forward to getting the brim stitched Monday.

(P.S. The bow tails will be trimmed more cleanly, my scissors aren't sharp enough)