Mexican War Forage Cap.

[Grapeshot]

Any one know hwere I can purchase an authentic, historically accurate copy of the Forage Cap used by US Troops during the Mexican War in 1847-1849?

Your help would be appreciated.

[Pony Racer]

Billy's Hats out of Gettysburg.

PR

[River City John]

Yes, Dirty Billy's. But be warned, very expensive. www.dirtybillyshats.com/index.htm

If you're talking about the forage cap that was a wheel-cap, Dixie Gun Works used to offer a very good quality one of the 1839 forage cap in navy blue wool. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_107_228&products_id=10044


Or QuarterMaster Shop, www.quartermastershop.com

Might check Tim Bender, http://www.benderhats.com/products.html  but I think they specialize in brimmed hats, not caps.
http://www.clearwaterhats.com/ is another, but I've heard nothing about them from people.

If you're adventursome and creative, build any hat you may want by using www.hatcrafters.com

[Dr. Bob]

Jarningan has them too.

[Captain Lee Bishop]

Yes, Dirty Billy's. But be warned, very expensive.

I'd steer WELL clear of Dirty Billy's. They have the absolute worst customer service on the planet. I'd ordered a hat from them a while back, it showed up much later than promised, much more money than they said it would and it was an entire number hat size smaller. When I returned it with a note stating these reasons, they called me and left a voice mail stating they don't need my business and to never order form them ever again! I guess I was wrong to return something that wasn't what I ordered. What nerve of some people, huh? 

[Grapeshot]

I'd steer WELL clear of Dirty Billy's. They have the absolute worst customer service on the planet. I'd ordered a hat from them a while back, it showed up much later than promised, much more money than they said it would and it was an entire number hat size smaller. When I returned it with a note stating these reasons, they called me and left a voice mail stating they don't need my business and to never order form them ever again! I guess I was wrong to return something that wasn't what I ordered. What nerve of some people, huh? 

I've had my dealings with Billy and will never go back or recommend him to anyone.

Thanks for all the responses.  I'll brouse through their sites and see which one meets my needs.

[Mark DuCap]

Grapeshot, my good sir, kindly check out Nick Sekela at n.j.sekela.com, or just 'google' Nick Sekela and check out his headgear selection and find an authentic reproduction of a genuine Mexican War Forage Cap a.k.a. the Wheel Cap.  In fact look through the whole site...  Hope you'll  find it enjoyable !!!  Tell him Mark DuCap recommended his work,  all top shelf, none better !

[FTrooper]

If this is still a subject, but try www.quartermasterdepot.com  Fort McKavett ordered two (a Type I and a Type III) and we are very happy with them!

Chris Fischer
Fort McKavett State Historic Site

[Colonel Buckshot]

www.mercurysutler.com has them pretty inexpensive also saw them at www.umvmco.com 

[Pony Racer]

Dirty Billy's defenitely could use a class in common courtesy & good manners.

However, I was quoted the price I paid and got a wonderful product - a few months late since it went to Lousiana right as I went to Virginia.

While I won't defend the "grumpier" sulters that deliver - I prefer them to the nicer ones over the years that have promised and said all the right things to just go deeper and deeper into the proverbial hole.

That being said - i have found Quartermastershop extremely knowledgable, friendly and they almost always deliver products two weeks or more early.  They are one of the best I have dealt with and if they do not make it they usually know who does.

PR

[Colonel Buckshot]

I know this is an old thread but I just found them for sale on ebay by the seller knapsack100.  Its the enlisted model with the fold down flap