Light infantry cap pattern?

[colmoultrie]

Does anyone know of a pattern for the light infantry cap - yes, I know it looks a bit ridiculous - from the F&I war, such as seen in the engraving of him? Although not drawn from life, it does give a decent indication that those caps were fairly widespread.
Link

I know some were leather and others felt. For some reason I've gotten the urge to make a leather one. I was thinking 4 oz. leather; does that sound good?

I know leather was jacked - does this refer to hardening w/ hard water or impregnating with wax? How do I control shrinkage?

 

[Artificer]

I think the idea of cutting down the Ranger Caps they way they did was to resemble a Mitre Cap, but I have no documentation on that.

Here is what has been reported to be a Scottish Officer's of Light Infantry Leather Cap circa 1775. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/bf/c4/f4/bfc4f41405a18051827f2a1b59f0e79e.jpg

For some information that may be relevant:

"These helmets are made from heavy, high quality leather. The skulls halves are stitched together, soaked and stretched over oblong wood helmet blocks of the desired size. After drying several days the leather skull is removed from the block, dyed and shellacked black, stiffened with hide glue, and trimmed to your specifications."

and

"Corps of Light Infantry
Similar to the helmet worn by Col. Alexander Hamilton as depicted in Trumbull's "Surrender at Yorktown". This helmet has a small leather visor, and the front plate (shield) can be painted with "LIy" cypher between the two white chevrons. Blonde horsehair is sewn into the comb. Inside the helmet is a functional leather and linen sweatband with drawstring. The exterior has a white linen turban with bow (other colors and materials optional). 5 inch tall Red & Black plume is affixed to helmet with an Alliance cockade. $130.00"
http://www.najecki.com/repro/Helmet.html

For a Repro, scroll down to:

"American Revolutionary War
British Light Infantry Cap attributed
to the 38th Regiment of Foot"

and

"American Revolutionary War Leather Cap
attributed to Francis Marion" http://hussarsaddlery.com/Helmets.html

Sorry, I have no advice I can give on the leather thickness.

Sounds like a heck of a project. Good luck.

Gus

 

[colmoultrie]

Thanks for the info and links. They look very informative.

I don't have a helmet form, so I was thinking of taking a ball cap that fits for the skull, minus the visor, of course, and cutting that in half to get a pattern to lay out to size. Who knows? It might just work... or maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew. I don't think I can wear the wet cap for a few days as it dries to keep it stretched right... :hmm: :grin:
All I can do is try...although I won't have time to try for a little while; it's just an idea at this point.

 

[Artificer]

IF you already have a hat that fits correctly and you don't mind sacrificing it, you might want to try making a form out of plaster, something like this guy did - though from the whole hat. Of course your cap won't be sewed from two halves like this helmet was.
http://www.tombanwell.com/american-dragoon-helmet

Gus

 

[colmoultrie]

Actually, the body of the cap will be sewn from two halves, but your idea of making a skull form from plaster is a good one. I had been thinking of using a styrofoam wig stand, but this would be closer to my own head. I could use the sacrificial ball cap for both the plaster - lining it with plastic wrap - and then cut it in half to make my leather pattern.

I appreciate the help. Any more ideas, please let me know. :hatsoff:

 

[CrackStock]

The documentation that I have seen (Compiled by the late Zac Pace of the 2nd SC Light Infantry Rgt.) on light infantry hats of the F&I and American Revolution periods is that shellacked felt is correct for the F&I period. The actual British regulations did not particularly describe or mandate a particular style until 1771 - aside from purchase records which indicate the material and term it a light infantry cap. Therefore, there are a few varied examples known which have been examined to learn how they were manufactured. More frequently, the form of our knowledge is based upon portraits and procurement documents such as purchase orders or discussions of styles.

A portrait of CC Pinckney shows a mitre style cap, but it was described to be felt in associated text. That style was later banned and only the leather was permitted in SC. The cap style became the standard for the 2nd SC Light Infantry during the American Revolution period. Specifically, the orders were issued December 1776. They new caps were so unpopular that there were a flurry of follow-up orders that these be worn and increasing disciplinary actions taken against those who lost them or failed to wear them. (see Unwaried Patience and Fortitude - Francis Marion's Orderly Book from Patrick O'Kelley.) As one who wore one of these helmets for a long time, I side with the troops who disliked them. Given the choice between shellacked felt and leather, I would gleefully take the felt. But the construction of the leather helmets varied. There is the heavily molded 2 piece horror which (this can be seen worn by Major Simcoe on the TV series "Turn") is the most uncomfortable headgear that I have ever been subjected to. There is a lower 4 piece version which is made of lighter leather which is actually quite an improvement. I have read about a 6 piece which nobody wanted to make due to the amount of labor and the increase in the number of seams which would dig into the head.
Hopefully this will help a bit. For more info, I would refer you to Stuart Lilie who was consulted with the documentation of the need and gave input regarding how to effectively reproduce a correct and useable item. Stuart is a great resource and has amazing skills. He helped us fashion a very effective helmet and I saw him with a hat similar to what you are seeking.
The late Zac Pace did a lot of research on this subject and referenced Fitzhugh McMaster for much of his info. Just wanted to give proper credit to the people who did the work and had the knowledge which I am simply restating.

I do hope that some of this is helpful to you in some manner. PM me for any questions or comments.

CS

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You could always check with Godwin's on their LI helmet prices. They offer in addition to fully finished helmets for specific units, a Finsihed Basic LI Helmet and even the Plain Skull Portion for you to finish as you wish.

LD

 

[colmoultrie]

Thanks Crackstock! I will certainly follow up with questions, as you seem to have some experience with them. Why would you say the "two piece horror " as worn by Simcoe in Turn was so horribly uncomfortable?
As there seems to be little standardization between units, I may be able to try to incorporate some of the better features or avoid some things that would make it uncomfortable. For my F&I impression, our unit was not uniformed, so it would be an example of a generic, commercially purchased piece: New Jersey Frontier Guard.
This is one of those items that I don't know why I got the urge to make one, but I did. Thanks, Dave, but I'm not interested in buying one - especially as I'm cheap - I just got the bug to try my hand at one.

 

[Wes/Tex]

The originals were the standard tricorns that had been cut to shape to copy the "jockey cap' then becoming popular in Britain. If you wanted to be a bit more "authenticish", buy an inexpensive hat blank and break out the old belt knife! :wink: :haha: By the time of the AWI, many were of higher conical leather with standing front, unit badges and even chains as decoration. F&I War era caps appear to have been fur felt military hats that had been trimmed to shape.

 

[colmoultrie]

Thanks, I may just do both... one ridiculous, impractical hat just might deserve another... :grin:

Well, a "fleabay" hat blank, shellac, and a bit of bias tape may be cheaper and easier than leather work in any case.

 

[CrackStock]

The plain skull portion mentioned above is the one we once used for our helmets and it is pretty uncomfortable. Hot in summer. Cold in winter. No protection from sun or rain. Basically useless - unless you are facing a downward saber stroke rather than heat stroke.

If you must get one of these, buy it large as it will shrink and you also need to use a liner in it for both adjusting size and also for protecting your head from the harsh leather edges. If you get it small, it will hurt you until you replace it.

On the other hand, it will last forever.

I sent you a PM with details on the 4 piece dome.

 

[CrackStock]

"By the time of the AWI, many were of higher conical leather with standing front, unit badges and even chains as decoration.

Crescents too.

Here is Major Simcoe with an interesting helmet and badge...

Someone with a twisted sense of humor must have supplied that particular item.

 

[JOHN F]

I need to way in on this issue as my unit , the 1st Delaware wears mitre caps for our early war impression. I would rather wear my helmet over a cocked hat any day. They are hot in the dead of summer but I love them. If they were of a heavy thickness leather and glued or shellacked they would have been the Kevlar of the 18th century. Not gonna stop a direct shot but would be more protection than a cocked hat. If I can be of any more help please Pm me. :wink:

 

[Stophel]

It's a "jockey cap" (though actual jockey's caps seem to always have the bill down... and made of silk usually). Just a felt hat with the brim cut down and turned up (Rogers' cap is obviously further decorated). Common for light infantry everywhere.

An 18th century Russian military cap: