Another source for pre-1872 epaulet insignia is Legendary Arms. They also carry the full dress epaulets and the post-8172 shoulder knots.
http://www.legendaryarms.com/comofemcir.htmlAs for the "darb" campaign hats, this is always a fun topic and often VERY overlooked. So without getting out the big book of hats (we are remodeling and getting to some bookshelves ain't as easy as I'd like since that is the "temporary storage room"). Here is a basic rundown.
Pre-1872 The black hardee hat beat and bent any way you want it. Sometimes the top is "telescoped" to make a lower crown. We also see alot of civilian private purchase hats.
1872 black hat is the one with an almost diamond shaped brim and folds up like a chapeau bra. These are flimsy and shoddy and fall apart or loose shape when wet. Army attempts to cut the brims down and stitch them to make them cap their shape. It fails and the soldiers won't take them. They end up issued to prisoners. (pictures exist of them still worn by some troopers as late as 1881)
The 1876 is a black hat is supposed to have a folded brim and a "propeller" or "Bracher vent", but they can also be found with a simple metal vent. Hat cord and insignia are sometimes seen on this hat.
1883-This hat does not have the folded edge, but the reinforced stitching. There is a screen vent about the size of a dine on each side. They were made in drab and black. Senior officers (Generals) were supposed to wear black. A little know order gave the company commanders the choice of black or drab for their troop/company, but the whole company had to wear the same color. By this time the lighter color had proven its worth (alot of private purchase white and light grey hats are known on the 1870's) and I have never seen a picture of a trooper or company in the black hats. Hat cords and insignia are not seen on this hat.
1889-The screen vent is replaced with the the "snowflake punch". This hat is the one worn during the Spanish American War. Hat cords are still not worn, but the M1896 cap insignia is. Originally in front and then on the left side as crop badges are placed on them during the Span-Am War.
1899-The screen vent returns but is now 1" big. There are also "experimental" tropical versions with a corrugated papier-mache band between the hat and sweatband to help airflow. The hat cord returns (with the acorns as opposed to tassels) and the M1896 insignia is back to the front (some had it stenciled in black ink like we see on canteens and haversacks). You also see a trend towards just the regimental numbers and company letters in brass on the front.
1902-The folded brim is back and the "star punched" vent is introduced. we also see the chinstrap/stampede cord added. Insignia is now the cord with bronze regimental numbers and company letters and no branch insignia (except for certain units like coast artillery and engineers).
All of the above hats are supposed to be flat brimmed and creased for and aft "like a fedora" (what movie is THAT from?) However, even in the 1880's we see them with flat tops and even with the brims folded in front and/or back (not unlike F-Troop, I think it more a matter of poor storage than fashion)...in the 1890's the popular civilian "Montana peak" starts to show up and is quite common by the Span-AM war.
1911-The hat is now a darker drab (almost brown) than before, stitched brim not folded, four metal grommets (front, back, sides), chinstrap, Montana peak, and the only insignia is the cords.
1921-The hat is even a little darker (with a more greenish tent), the stitching is eliminated and the crown is lower and rounder (still has the four "Montana" dents). This is the hat still worn by Army and Marine Drill Instructors. Again, only the hat cord is authorized until the post WW2 era. (except marines who do wear the globe/eagle/anchor).
Again, this is off the top of my head (yes I know ALOT of unimportant information) and there could be an error or two.
Chris Fischer
F-Troop