Table of Contents
What is a civil war forage cap?
General History. The forage cap was introduced just in time to become the signature headgear of the Civil War soldier. This model was the most popular worn by the Union army, officers and enlisted men alike. It was adopted as standard army headgear. The visor can be flat or sloping.
What kind of hats were worn in the Civil War?
The Hardee hat, also known as the Model 1858 Dress Hat and sometimes nicknamed the “Jeff Davis”, was the regulation dress hat for enlisted men in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Hardee hat was also worn by Confederate soldiers.
Is kepi a military cap?
A kepi is a light military cap with a peak of leather or cloth and a chinstrap of leather or cord. The kepi originated during Algerian war in the nineteenth century but was then was named a casquette or bonnet de la police à visière.
What are forage cap made of?
Originally made of Prussian blue wool, this was replaced with a slate grey version in the 1890s, with a dark green cap band. After WWI, the German Wehrmacht used a variant of the garrison cap called the Feldmutze, before adopting the Austrian-style ski cap of the Gebirgsjager.
Who wears a black kepi?
Officers and non-commissioned officers wear a black kepi, as well as senior corporals (Caporal-chefs) with more than 17.5 years of service and a CT1 (Certificat technique) qualification.
Why do Australian hats have one side up?
The intention of turning up the right side of the hat was to ensure it would not be caught during the drill movement of “shoulder arms” from “order arms”. The slouch hat became a famous symbol of the Australian fighting man during World War One and continued to be worn throughout World War Two.
What’s the difference between a kepi and a fatigue cap?
The “forage” or “fatigue” cap, as it is known, is an alteration of the lower style kepi. Actually a more accurate way to put it, is that it is an alteration of the 1850’s U.S. Army Shako. Essentially the forage cap is a shako with the stiffener removed. This is why the fatigue cap “falls forward” or slumps over.
What was the purpose of the forage cap?
Like the kepi, the forage cap was an attempt by the United States military to make the shako more practical and appropriate for situations that did not require a formal dress hat. Forage caps retained the visor and stiffened circular top of the shako, but did not possess the stiffened vertical structure.
What was the Berdan Sharpshooter forage cap made of?
The US Berdan Sharpshooter Forage Cap is made of green wool. The forage cap is taller than the kepi and the crown drapes forward. The cap has a heavy leather brim, functional chin strap with black side buttons and center buckle, leather sweat band, and is lined. Click on the picture for more images.
Where was the kepi made in the Civil War?
MADE IN USA in the great state of Idaho. The US kepi is made in a navy wool for the cap and artillery red wool for the band and is specific for Artillery. The kepi has a heavy leather brim, functional chin strap with brass side buttons and center buckle, leather sweat band, and is lined.