Gettin' there with uniform

Sgt Major Barber · January 12, 2009, 08:45:16 PM

Hello all. Am good to go with clothing as a Cavalry Capt....yep, this olde anchor clanker done jumped to the officer corps. Now, Kepi for enlisted...am doing 1866-1870 Indian War trooper. I have seen pictures and drawings of Kepi's with brass sabers on top or on the front of the cap...some with Regiment Number, some without. Have seen pictures with the large embossed badge of crossed sabers on top of hat....gonna be a 1st Sgt or Sgt. Major...like them strips. Which kepi set up would be 1) correct and/or 2) acceptable... as I understand there was a lot of latitude on uniform make up when on campaign. Want something on it just for show...
Thanks very much for any ideas.
Two Dot Wrangler

Sgt Major Barber · January 12, 2009, 09:02:34 PM

Or....would a forage cap be more "right" for the period I am trying to recreate...
Thanks.
Two Dot

Old Top · January 13, 2009, 02:32:40 AM

Two Dot,

The time frame would be a Kepi, with crossed sabers on the front. If you want numbers it would be the cav unit on the top and the company letter on the bottom. Forage cap was earlier, larger, and had the crossed sabers on the top. Hope this helps.

Old Top

Curley Cole · January 13, 2009, 03:08:50 PM

Here is a shot of Old Top in his Kepi....he loves that thing...

lets see pictures of your gear and your progress

Curley

Sgt Major Barber · January 13, 2009, 10:01:58 PM

Hey Old Top and Curley. Thanks for the info and the photo. My digital is smooshed (thanks 14 year old daughter) and have budgeted one for mid February or early March...and then will take some photos to show where I am going with this dress up play stuff. Gonna order a Kepi from Quartermaster Shop tomorrow..CW era as I am doing late 1860s.
Thanks again and will keep ya posted....
Two Dot

Old Top · January 14, 2009, 12:47:32 AM

Two Dot,

Your cap badge will be a hunting horn as the crossed rifles did not come on board untill 1874, but then again reading your post you will be correct with the crossed sabers as Cav.

Old (Infantry) Top

Curley Cole · January 14, 2009, 01:32:40 AM

Ain't Old Top cute???

Actually Two Dot, you can take what Old Top tells you to the bank. As a 30 year vet, and very well read on the topic of his uniforms etc, he is giving you the straight stuff......

lookin foward to see how yer rig turns out..

curley

Drydock · January 14, 2009, 03:47:28 AM

Prior to 1872 you would use a forage cap, with the insignia on the top. It was not until the 1872 regulations that the Kepi was formaly adopted by US units (state and volenteer units did use the Kepi prior to 1872, but the regulars did not adopt it until the regulations changed in 1872) the 1872 regulations were also the first to move the insignia from the top to the front of the Headgear. As was noted, the 1874 addendum to the 1872 regulations was the change from the infantry hunting horn to the now familiar Crossed Rifles.