deanglen
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Interesting information about Military Headgear 1855-1902, especially Campaign Hats!
- Thread starter deanglen
- Start date
deanglen
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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From page 57. Interesting wool versus fur felt discussion:
"The board is of the opinion that the Campaign Hat for
the Army should be soft and pliable, of light-weight, firm
texture and the greatest possible durability that can be obtained for a reasonable price.
With this view the Board has procured information from
all available sources in regard to the manufacture and component materials of the various hats of the character named
fabricated for Army and commercial purposes. Experts in
the manufacture of hats of all kinds have been examined
and their opinions obtained.
There appear to be two distinct kinds or classes of felt
hats:—one made from fur and the other from wool.
Those manufactured from fur are of it vast variety of
qualities ranging from very low to very high prices according to the quality and kind of material. It is, however, generally conceded that no fur hat, that will give good service,
can be manufactured, except from the better quality of
furs and at a price varying from $2.50/100 to $3.00/100
each. If from the best quality of furs, the prices would
range much higher.
Whether made from fur or from wool, no inspection can
exactly determine the particular material or materials from
which made, so that in any case, much reliance must be
placed on the integrity of the manufacturer. No positive
test can be applied save that of actual wear.
It is, however, thought by the Board that there will be
less opportunity for imposition in the manufacture of woo]
hats, while the cost of material being much less, there w'll
be less inducement in that direction.
From all the information the Board has been able to obtain, wool hats of the best grade will give equal service with
the best grade of fur hats. This has been attested, even by
prominent hatters engaged exclusively in the manufacture of
fur hats. Severe tests were also instituted by the Board with
satisfactory results.
In view of all these facts, and the greatly decreased cost
to the soldier, together with the large saving to the government, the Board is induced to recommend felt hats made of
wool for issue to the enlisted men of the Army.
The pattern recommended for adoption, has been sent to
the office of the Quartermaster General, duly sealed for
identification. It is a plain black, velvet finished, hat, similar
to the fatigue hat worn by officers during the late war; with
crown 5/2 inches high, and brim 2% inches wide, for medium sized hats, the edge of the brim turned over and
stitched, without binding; with a revolving ventilator in
each side 3/2 inches above the brim; and with a japanned
sweat leather.
For all purposes of the service it is believed that black
is the most desirable color.
It is further recommended that the campaign hat for officers be of the same color and pattern as that for enlisted
men, either of fur or wool as may be preferred by the individual officer. If of fur, the brim need not be turned over
nor bound. A sample hat of fur, duly sealed, has also been
sent to the Quartermaster General's Office.
The Secretary of War approved the findings of
Meigs and directed Rucker to submit three additional hats of the same pattern together with specifications, the latter being duly adopted.'"
WAR DEPARTMENT,
QUARTERMASTER G E N E R A L ' S OFFICE "
On page 59 the went from black to drab colored hats.Then they decided this:
"When this report came to the attention of Brig.
Gen. Rufus Ingalls, the new Quartermaster General (Gen. Meigs had retired on 6 February), he
directed the Philadelphia Depot to turn the matter
over to Captain Rogers, the Military Storekeeper,
who was to furnish the Quartermaster General's
office with several sample hats of different colors
and quality. Ingalls stated that the question of
issuing drab or slate colored hats had been frequently brought to his attention in the past months.
Rogers complied, indicating in his letter of transmittal a decided preference for a change in material and color. "The only proper substance to use
in the manufacture of hats of this character," he
wrote, "is a fair quality of fur felt. They will cost
considerable more to begin with than the wool hats,
but a reasonable careful man can make two of
them last through a term of enlistment, whereas he
would want five of the wool ones."
dean
"The board is of the opinion that the Campaign Hat for
the Army should be soft and pliable, of light-weight, firm
texture and the greatest possible durability that can be obtained for a reasonable price.
With this view the Board has procured information from
all available sources in regard to the manufacture and component materials of the various hats of the character named
fabricated for Army and commercial purposes. Experts in
the manufacture of hats of all kinds have been examined
and their opinions obtained.
There appear to be two distinct kinds or classes of felt
hats:—one made from fur and the other from wool.
Those manufactured from fur are of it vast variety of
qualities ranging from very low to very high prices according to the quality and kind of material. It is, however, generally conceded that no fur hat, that will give good service,
can be manufactured, except from the better quality of
furs and at a price varying from $2.50/100 to $3.00/100
each. If from the best quality of furs, the prices would
range much higher.
Whether made from fur or from wool, no inspection can
exactly determine the particular material or materials from
which made, so that in any case, much reliance must be
placed on the integrity of the manufacturer. No positive
test can be applied save that of actual wear.
It is, however, thought by the Board that there will be
less opportunity for imposition in the manufacture of woo]
hats, while the cost of material being much less, there w'll
be less inducement in that direction.
From all the information the Board has been able to obtain, wool hats of the best grade will give equal service with
the best grade of fur hats. This has been attested, even by
prominent hatters engaged exclusively in the manufacture of
fur hats. Severe tests were also instituted by the Board with
satisfactory results.
In view of all these facts, and the greatly decreased cost
to the soldier, together with the large saving to the government, the Board is induced to recommend felt hats made of
wool for issue to the enlisted men of the Army.
The pattern recommended for adoption, has been sent to
the office of the Quartermaster General, duly sealed for
identification. It is a plain black, velvet finished, hat, similar
to the fatigue hat worn by officers during the late war; with
crown 5/2 inches high, and brim 2% inches wide, for medium sized hats, the edge of the brim turned over and
stitched, without binding; with a revolving ventilator in
each side 3/2 inches above the brim; and with a japanned
sweat leather.
For all purposes of the service it is believed that black
is the most desirable color.
It is further recommended that the campaign hat for officers be of the same color and pattern as that for enlisted
men, either of fur or wool as may be preferred by the individual officer. If of fur, the brim need not be turned over
nor bound. A sample hat of fur, duly sealed, has also been
sent to the Quartermaster General's Office.
The Secretary of War approved the findings of
Meigs and directed Rucker to submit three additional hats of the same pattern together with specifications, the latter being duly adopted.'"
WAR DEPARTMENT,
QUARTERMASTER G E N E R A L ' S OFFICE "
On page 59 the went from black to drab colored hats.Then they decided this:
"When this report came to the attention of Brig.
Gen. Rufus Ingalls, the new Quartermaster General (Gen. Meigs had retired on 6 February), he
directed the Philadelphia Depot to turn the matter
over to Captain Rogers, the Military Storekeeper,
who was to furnish the Quartermaster General's
office with several sample hats of different colors
and quality. Ingalls stated that the question of
issuing drab or slate colored hats had been frequently brought to his attention in the past months.
Rogers complied, indicating in his letter of transmittal a decided preference for a change in material and color. "The only proper substance to use
in the manufacture of hats of this character," he
wrote, "is a fair quality of fur felt. They will cost
considerable more to begin with than the wool hats,
but a reasonable careful man can make two of
them last through a term of enlistment, whereas he
would want five of the wool ones."
dean
Last edited:
randooch
I'll Lock Up
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Why not just post this in the campaign hats thread?
deanglen
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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Can't imagine many would care where I posted it, but I think I had in mind that posting it there would simply bury it in a niche thread so I decided to give it its own niche thread, but the moderators are welcome to move it into the Campaign hat thread if they so desire. Das macht mir nichts!
dean
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Interesting reading for sure!
Hercule
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Well isn't that interesting!
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And so is page 59 quote of 2 fur to 5 wool =
Rogers complied, indicating in his letter of transmittal a decided preference for a change in material and color. "The only proper substance to use in the manufacture of hats of this character," he wrote, "is a fair quality of fur felt. They will cost considerable more to begin with than the wool hats, but a reasonable careful man can make two of them last through a term of enlistment, whereas he would want five of the wool ones."...
1961MJS
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Hi
There is a paragraph in Al Sieber's biography stating that the Indian war soldiers got rid of their deteriorated black wool hats and purchased Gray fur felt hats from the sutlers. If I can find the whole quote, I'll type it in here.
Later
There is a paragraph in Al Sieber's biography stating that the Indian war soldiers got rid of their deteriorated black wool hats and purchased Gray fur felt hats from the sutlers. If I can find the whole quote, I'll type it in here.
Later
