RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 10:43:36 GMT -7
I sent a note to Connecticut HS to see if an image could be had of the inside of the Phineas Meigs’ Hat. I’ll keep everyone posted, but I’m going to try to duplicate this as closely as possible… minus the musket ball holes. The musket ball holes…
IF this hat was worn with the cock on the left side, Captain Meigs was shot while the enemy was to his right rear, with the ball entering at about his 4:00.
IF this hat was worn with the cock to the rear in fantail fashion, Meigs was killed by a ball that struck above his right eyebrow, while facing the British.
Without seeing a view of the underside to observe the shape of the crown, it’s just conjecture. But I think this may have been worn fantail.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 10, 2022 11:02:38 GMT -7
Much time as I spend aloft under a big oak, beech or hickory with eyeballs up having the back cocked is a must. That, or be more particular about the trees you pick to sit under. View AttachmentAs they say, every cloud has a silver lining. When I got old and humpbacked, the hat ceased to be a problem. View AttachmentSpence Wonderful! I can attest... Many a tree has placed me in a napping trance a time or two.
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Post by lenapej on Jul 10, 2022 12:10:04 GMT -7
From the Connecticut HS online collections… they only have a single image available, but have a wonderful description that gives all the relevant information. This apparently was originally a fully-cocked hat. DESCRIPTION: Dark felt hat with round crown. The brim is 2 1/2 inches wide, increasing in width to 4 3/8 inches where it is cocked up. The cocked side of the brim is held up by a string which is laced through four holes. (Other holes in the brim indicate that this was probably originally a tricorn hat with a brim consistently 4 3/8 inches wide; the holes indicate where the brim was cocked up.) Surrounding the base of the crown like a hat band is a knotted string. The hat was originally lined; only the remnants of the lining remain around the base of the crown.
Two holes in the crown are the result of musket fire; the small hole is the entry wound, and the large hole is the exit wound.
They also give dimensions that indicate a 4-1/4” crown. Everything one would need to reproduce this hat. Neat! View AttachmentView AttachmentView AttachmentNot sure how the non-round brim would look uncocked. But I guess we’ll find out. I’ve found enough references to this style back to the 1750s to go with a fantail. While this looks to apparently be a round hat cocked on the left (the position of the bullet holes makes me wonder though…), this would work fine cocked in the rear. As with everything, I need to remember that this won’t be the only object I make and get on with it already. 😜 Thanks for posting this info, I wear mine fantail style and tied up in the fashion shown here, for the same reason that Hawkeyes has given. I have seen a period image or two of what looked like a fantail but would be interested in the references that you have found if it's not too much trouble?? I like to have documentation for my impression.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 13:16:58 GMT -7
I’ll need to take a look, Josh. I’m not as organized as I may seem. Most were ad quotes from Spence from 1750s saying things like ‘cocked behind’. It was enough to give me the warm fuzzies that I’m PC. Had to pause hat and shirts because Spencer wanted to make a belt. He’s on the spectrum and has singular focus when he’s doing something. I am ready for this hat project though.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 13:50:38 GMT -7
Man… certain things in life make your heart want to burst. Sorry for the thread drift. Back to making a hat.
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Post by brokennock on Jul 10, 2022 14:25:38 GMT -7
From the Connecticut HS online collections… they only have a single image available, but have a wonderful description that gives all the relevant information. This apparently was originally a fully-cocked hat. DESCRIPTION: Dark felt hat with round crown. The brim is 2 1/2 inches wide, increasing in width to 4 3/8 inches where it is cocked up. The cocked side of the brim is held up by a string which is laced through four holes. (Other holes in the brim indicate that this was probably originally a tricorn hat with a brim consistently 4 3/8 inches wide; the holes indicate where the brim was cocked up.) Surrounding the base of the crown like a hat band is a knotted string. The hat was originally lined; only the remnants of the lining remain around the base of the crown.
Two holes in the crown are the result of musket fire; the small hole is the entry wound, and the large hole is the exit wound.
They also give dimensions that indicate a 4-1/4” crown. Everything one would need to reproduce this hat. Neat! View AttachmentView AttachmentView AttachmentNot sure how the non-round brim would look uncocked. But I guess we’ll find out. I’ve found enough references to this style back to the 1750s to go with a fantail. While this looks to apparently be a round hat cocked on the left (the position of the bullet holes makes me wonder though…), this would work fine cocked in the rear. As with everything, I need to remember that this won’t be the only object I make and get on with it already. 😜 As alluded to in your post after this one, I was more thinking that maybe contacting them might gain us an inside view or description. Hopefully they will respond. If they seem receptive to inquiries about the hat, I may try to get over there next week. This coming week is shot for doing anything like that.
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Post by lenapej on Jul 10, 2022 15:47:59 GMT -7
I’ll need to take a look, Josh. I’m not as organized as I may seem. Most were ad quotes from Spence from 1750s saying things like ‘cocked behind’. It was enough to give me the warm fuzzies that I’m PC. Had to pause hat and shirts because Spencer wanted to make a belt. He’s on the spectrum and has singular focus when he’s doing something. View AttachmentView AttachmentI am ready for this hat project though. View AttachmentRyanAK No worries, I thought maybe you had some images and/or quotes handy and me being the lazy bum that I am thought "here is a easy way to get some documentation...." I'll look into it myself, I see your a busy man, looks like you may have a trekking buddy there after awhile. Be sure and post a photograph of the finished hat resting neatly upon thy handsome cabeza.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 16:31:33 GMT -7
Well now I guess I’m questioning my documentation since I went looking and can’t seem to locate it. Ugh.
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Post by spence on Jul 10, 2022 17:14:45 GMT -7
Man… certain things in life make your heart want to burst. And they are contagious. Spence
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Post by spence on Jul 10, 2022 17:32:47 GMT -7
Well now I guess I’m questioning my documentation since I went looking and can’t seem to locate it. Ugh. The Pennsylvania Gazette October 16, 1766 RUN away.... had on when he went away, an old castor hat, cocked behind, and bound round with black serrit, a light yellow wig, The Pennsylvania Gazette November 15, 1775 Annapolis, November 5, 1775. RUN away… N. B. Webster had on a good castor hat fan-tailed, cocked in the military fashion, lined with new white linen, plain Pinchbeck knee and shoe buckles; THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE 2 October 27, 1768 It is said that several Gentlemen, remarkable for their elegance of dress, intend shortly to appear in hats cocked in an entire new fashion, which, in compliment to his Danish Majesty, is to be called the King of Denmark's cock. Spence
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Post by lenapej on Jul 10, 2022 18:06:32 GMT -7
Spence
Thank you sir, you are much appreciated!
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
|
Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 18:19:46 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
|
Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 18:20:36 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
|
Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 18:21:41 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
|
Post by RyanAK on Jul 10, 2022 18:22:27 GMT -7
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