Need Help

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy Pards
I have a Civil War kepi but I want to use for Indian War Period .What year did the cross sabers go on the front of the kepi and when did they put the Regiment # over sabers . Also the sabers are from the Indian war not CW . Was wanting to be 1874 to 1879  time frame .

[Dusty Tagalon]

If US history merchant is displaying it right, displayed on the front of the kepi. number on top letter on bottom.
Couldn't get directly to the link, but from the link below, look for Indian Wars, then hats & helmets.

http://www.ushist.com/wardrobe.htm

Dusty

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,
During the Indian Wars campaigns, troops in the field often wore left-over CW clothing items...not necessarily complete uniforms.  In point of fact, the issue clothing was very unsuited to the conditions in the field, and both officers and enlisted "made do" with whatever they had saved from the War, or could scrounge.  This was usually with the full cognisance of the company commanders.  Now this was approved of for field use only.  Newer clothing was saved for garrison wear!

Hope this helps...

[Drydock]

Regulations pertaining to the wearing of Unit insignia changed in 1872.  Prior to 1872 insignina was worn atop the cap, if it was worn at all.  Per the 1872 regulations insignia were moved to the front of the cap.  Reduced in size, number on top (regiment), letter on bottom. (Company/battery/troop)

[Rowdy Fulcher]

SGT Drydock
Thank you that was Exactly what I was wanting . I am wanting to put together a Indian War Calvary Trooper or a Calvary Scout .
I have looked at the Fair Weather Christan belt , and like it for my Trapdoor . I was told ? that only the Officers had the regiment and the Company marking on the head gear is this true . I have a Civil War era kepi with the sabers and the 7 on top and no company . 

[Drydock]

Its hard to say.  By regulation an enlisted man could have regiment and company on his hat, though most seem to only have the regiment,  It probably depended on what was available.  In one of my books there is a picture of 2 privates, both wearing the 1874 pattern piped 5 button field blouse, and on their 1872 pattern forage caps are clearly both regiment and company.  In fact, most pictures of Officers only show the regimental number, which makes sense if you think about it, as the officers would identify with the regiment as a whole, with the enlisted men more identified by their companys.

[Pitspitr]

From 1872 to 1874 the regulations overlooked the precise placement of the regiment numbers and company letters. The regulations vaguely said, "with badge of corps or letter of company of yellow metal worn in front as for officers." After 1874 the powers that be realized that they hadn't spelled it out and regulated that the regemental Number be placed above the branch emblem with the company letter below. They also changed the infantry branch emblem to the crossed rifles instead of the hunting horn. Officers wore an embroidered patch on the front of the cap with the regemental number above  the branch emblem embroidered in silver (except infantry officers who wore the number inside the bend of the hunting horn until changed to the crossed rifles) The "thread" used to embroider the number was actually fine silver wire.

[Drydock]

Thats about as definitive as it gets, thank you Pit.  It must be said, its been my experience that regulations often follow what troops are allready doing in the field.

[Pitspitr]

  OOPS
I wrote my previous post from memory. I should know better. The insignia was changed to the crossed rifles in 1875 and placement of letters and numbers wasn't prescribed until 1876.

[Joseph Shelby]

Officers, if they worre it at all, only had the regimental number on the headgear. They were commissioned into the specific regiment, but no the company.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
So from 1872 to 1874 What would be the correct sabers to wear on a kepi and where top or front ?

[Pitspitr]

Officer or inlisted?

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Pitspitr
That would be enlisted .

[Pitspitr]

Stamped brass crossed sabres, number and letter on the front of the cap with no regulation as to where the number and letter were placed but probably with the number above and the letter below the crossed sabres.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Pitspitr
Thank you I am working on a Calvary  persona and I am trying to put all this together . I have a trapdoor carbine and I  have a fair weather Christan belt .

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Pitspitr
  where can I order the company letter to put on my kepi ? I have the crossed sabers  and the regiment number but need the company letter . I have decided to go with B co.

[Drydock]

www.ssfirearms.com

[Pitspitr]

The correct letters and numbers are all but impossible to find. Watch e-bay, or go with the small size civli war letters and numbers which as Lt. Col. Sgt. Drydock has said are available as a repro from S&S or about any sutler.