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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR FORAGE CAP FORMS – TWO STYLES
OF VERY SCARCE WOODEN HEAD WEAR MANUFACTURING BLOCKS:
These two
original Civil War era hat forms - one for the lower crowned
forage cap and the other for the higher crowned classic
“Bummer's” cap – are considerably rarer than the
examples of period headgear on the market today. Of the
style of forage caps that were introduced during the
immediate pre-Civil War years, they reached their zenith
of popularity during the War on both sides of the
conflict. These caps were made in such quantity from
1861 through 1865 that the tremendous surpluses
remaining makes it doubtful that many were produced
after the War’s end, thus the period of use of these
particular forms is fairly easy to establish, making them
very special Civil War artifacts.
In addition to
the limited of period of use affecting the rarity of
these forms, once these patterns of caps were no longer
part of the uniform those wooden forms that were large
enough were probably recut to other patterns if possible
and those that could not be modified were likely fed
into the morning fires in the hat maker's work shops.
The forage cap
form measures 5" high, 7.5" long and 6.25" wide, has the
distinct tailored profile to the crown and is full form
with no chips or other damage, and has the maker's mark
and sizing information stamped in the bottom of the
form. The bummer cap form measures 7.25" high,
4.5" round at the top, and 7" by 6" oval at the
bottom. This form retains its full shape with a two
minor chips to the top edge, but nothing that affects
the shape or lines of the piece. Both of these forms
show use with many tiny pin holes from the stick pins
used to hold the hat wool in place during the
manufacturing process.
These forms
would make a very unusual addition to any Civil War or
early Indian War uniform collection, and would be a key
piece to display with your headgear collection.
$450 each, your choice; or $800 for the pair.
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