Now Forming! the Campaign Hat Corps

[Orvil Newton]

*************

I don't know the breakdown but the COLOR of the acorn cord indicates what part of the army you are in Cavalry, Artillery. etc.

I know I'm late with this but...

Sky blue= Infantry, red= Field Artillery, yellow= Cavalry (Air Cav or Armor in the modern Army), orange= Signal Corps, green= Military Police. Colors have changed over the years but the basics, Infantry blue, Cavalry Yellow("She wore a Yellow Ribbon") and Artillery red, have remained more or less constant.

 

[1stsargent]

I am really interested in picking up a 1889 or span-am era repro campaign hat and was wondering who makes the best and most authentic version. I see that Dirty Bills, Eureka Arsenal and a place called River Junction all make a version so I need help deciding which one to buy? I really know nothing about these hats other than the original army specs and the fact I really want one. Price is not really a concern as I am looking to buy once and buy something that authentic and well built. Any feedback helps.

 

[deanglen]

I am really interested in picking up a 1889 or span-am era repro campaign hat and was wondering who makes the best and most authentic version. I see that Dirty Bills, Eureka Arsenal and a place called River Junction all make a version so I need help deciding which one to buy? I really know nothing about these hats other than the original army specs and the fact I really want one. Price is not really a concern as I am looking to buy once and buy something that authentic and well built. Any feedback helps.

Dirty Billy's is very good. I owned one once and sold it to another Lounger.
Can't say about the other two, but River Junction looks good, but the wool felt versus fur felt will apparently effect the cost, and since that isn't a problem for you, I'd go for Dirty Billy's and consider a personal re-ribbon of the hat.



dean

 

[Speedster]

Hi dean, hope all is well with you? Guess that lounger is me?

And 1stsargent, welcome to the lounge.

I have a Dirty Billy's hat which was modified by deanglen and i am extremely pleased with it. For easy reference here are some pictures of it which was posted earlier in this thread:

It's a funny thing, this Campaign hat. When i first started out in Cowboy Action Shooting 7 or 8 years ago i bought a part Rough Rider outfit (blue shirt and tan/brown trousers) but never considered getting the hat. Previously i always thought that their brims were too narrow.

But after Deanglens campaigning the hat style here with plenty of photos (old and new) it went to my "must have some day" list. That day came yesterday, when the hat arrived here from Deanglen (a very generous offer. Thanks very much Dean).

The hat has had its ribbon changed to a lighter colored 5/8" grosgrain, and larger and more accurate bow. The crown bash and brim curl has also been worked on to match period photos. All done by Deanglen.

So here we go:

And the last one... me wearing the hat and the Rough Rider shirt:

 

[Speedster]

...and some further pictures of the Dirty Billy's hat for reference which was posted earlier in this thread:

Those are fantastic pictures, dean. Rope soled espadrillos, bow tie and what have you. But the guy with the single action in the last picture is still about to blow his comrades head off.

Here are a few pictures of me with the Campaign hat and SpanAm War outfit taken last Saturday 8 September at our Cowboy Action Shooting. Still missing some stuff and the guns and ammobelt and holster is not as per regulation. But seeing the above pictures, with rope soled shoes and bow ties etc, i'm not too worried yet. I will eventually get there.

But the best of all... one of my shooting buddies, who collects old Colt Single Actions, just showed me his latest purchase: cal .45 with 5 1/2 inch bbl and markings for B Co. 3rd Cavalry 1890. The perfect match for the Campaign Hat:

 

[Speedster]

Here's a pic of me SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) outfit, minus my second pistol and huckleberry shoulder holster. My alias is Captain Bob Masterson SASS #58272. My persona is that of a Captain in the 1st Regiment of U.S.V. Cavalry 1898. Uniform is loosely based what was worn in the 1997 TNT movie "Rough Riders". I made the waist belt, the shotgun shell belt is a copy of an 1876 army "Prarie" belt I got from Cabelas, the McKeever cartridge box is from Pacific Canvas & Leather, the holster is a 1885 cavalry model by Carrico Leather. My campaign hat is an old 3X beaver Stetson I got on Ebay. Steamed in a proper center crease and reshaped the brim a bit. I made a gross grain ribbon hat band with military style bow and added a braided bullion officer's hat cord and 1872 crossed sabers hat device. The old stetson while not exactly like a issue Model 1889 campaign hat, the brim is wider and lacks the several rows of stitching and the snowflake vents in the crown, is a reasonable facsimile what a circa 1898 cavalry officer would have privately purchased.

Rough Rider

Welcome to the lounge Rough Rider from another Rough Rider.

 

[DanielJones]

Does anybody here know of a source for good quality ribbon material in a variety of widths? I'm going to convert a modern campaign hat into something more early 1900's miner or ex-cavalry look. Thanks for any help.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[shortbow]

Double ditto on that question!

 

[shortbow]

BTW, that is one hell of a nice Peacemaker.

 

[Highlander]

Yes, it is a nice Colt SAA. Looks to be an original? If so, a really nice piece.

Quick question for all about the hat cords. Often you do see them tied in front of the keeper to shorten the cords for mounted troops (to keep them from thumping the brim of the hat as riding). BUT, was there a regulation on how they were to be tied.??? Just wondered..

Steve

 

[deanglen]

Does anybody here know of a source for good quality ribbon material in a variety of widths? I'm going to convert a modern campaign hat into something more early 1900's miner or ex-cavalry look. Thanks for any help.

Cheers!

Dan

Dan, I found tan 5/8" grosgrain ribbon at Wal-Mart. It's not hat making ribbon, but that is available on the the web. I just googled it one time and got some that way. Not bad, even the right kind. Hat making ribbon is easier to work with than the craft quality stuff at Wal-Mart. I sent some 5/8" tan ribbon from Wal-Mart to Mojave Jack but never heard if he used it for his Marine campaign cover circa 1890s.

dean

 

[shortbow]

There is a well worn "vintage stetson" on the bay right now that would morph into a campaign hat real easily. Right color et al.

 

[Highlander]

Well, while it's not an orginal. It is a Stetson second I got from the Outlet store in St. Joseph, MO, about 25 years ago. It was a US Forest Service hat, with a cattleman crease. After main a rainy day, I kept reforming it til it came to this CAMPAIGN hat form. It does have the grossgrain ribbon(not as wide as the orignals). But it makes for a good looking campaign hat.

 

[Colby Jack]

Welcome to the lounge Rough Rider from a fellow SASS member....#73840...

 

[1stsargent]

I got the skinny from WPG that he will be making the most authentic and well made 1889 campaign hat on the market today. It will not be cheap though at about $315. But it is claimed to follow all the original specs right down to 4 oz spec weight and to be made from the best quality materials.

 

[Dakota Ellison]

I ordered one from Dirty Billy's, but not wanting to wait 12 to 16 weeks, I made the below hat from a resistol cowboy hat, so the felt is probably thicker than it ought to be. Had a alterations shop put in the stitching on the brim. Got the pin at an army surplus store. Been reading the Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and watching the Rough Riders DVD.

 

[Lefty]

Nice. How did you do the venting?

 

[Lone_Ranger]

Interesting WWI vintage Stars and Stripes articles complaining about a lack of campaign hats.

http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/pdf/Old Campaign Hat.pdf

The article hints that it was the introduction of the steel combat helmet that caused the phase out of the campaign hat. Replacing it with an easier to carry overseas hat, or a beret.

 

[Dakota Ellison]

I put the hat on a block and drew the snowflake pattern on the sides with a crayon, then used a small punch and a hammer to make the holes.

 

[draws]

My Campaign Hats

Here are my candidates for the Campaign Hat Corps. All three are original M1911 versions. The first is a Stetson and the last two are mfg unknown. All three are in great condition.
NOTE: The 5 rows of stitching around the brim is the giveaway of an M1911

M1911 Stetson - size 7 1/4 with original Infantry Hat Cord. Leather Liner excellent

M1911 Campaign Hat (maker unk) - Size 7 1/4 with original Infantry Hat Cord. Leather liner somewhat used but in great condition.

M1911 Campaign Hat (maker unk) - Size 7 1/4 with original Infantry Hat Cord. Leather liner ing very good condition.