Not entirely sure that 'coney' is relating to rabbit, though it might in this case. Coneys are one of the names for 'guinea pigs' - and having had members of that animal species in the house for several years now, I can attest that they could also bear the name of 'living bags of hair'.
Todd
The M1883 to M1904 Campaign Hats
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Yikes. I'd hate to think of the Army being issued guinea pig hats.Originally posted by Todd
Not entirely sure that 'coney' is relating to rabbit, though it might in this case. Coneys are one of the names for 'guinea pigs' - and having had members of that animal species in the house for several years now, I can attest that they could also bear the name of 'living bags of hair'.
Todd
Pat
"Coney may be:"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney
take your pick!
In connection with the 1872 campaign hat I don't think it means
"Caribbean fish" - most likely rabbit - but I prefer the Guinea animal reference as it is one ugly pig of a hat![:D]
Dušan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney
take your pick!
In connection with the 1872 campaign hat I don't think it means
"Caribbean fish" - most likely rabbit - but I prefer the Guinea animal reference as it is one ugly pig of a hat![:D]
Dušan
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Rats, just as I was about to pose a theory that Custer lost at LBH because the 7th was wearing guinea pig fur hats.Originally posted by rayg
Oops I see Corney does mean rabbits hair. However I know I read some where that they used another animal's hair in Australia. Wish I could remember where I read it. Ray
RayG/Wisconsin
Actually, I found a source on the net that claims coney as a word for a type of rabbit fur, used for felt, in France. I'd find the French connection odd here, however, as I can't imagine that fur was imported.
Pat
On Page 38 of BRASS SPIKES AND HORSETAIL PLUMES, A HISTORY OF U.S. ARMY DRESS HELMETS, 1872-1904 by Gordon Chappell, the following is noted: "The contract-procured enlisted helmet shells always were made of felt, a type of cloth which is not spun or woven, but is made of matted fibers of wool or fur or hair, or a mixture of such components, combined with 'sizing' of some sort of glue or shellac or varnish, then rolled and pressed." "Into the making of felt would go materials such as 'coney,' the fur of a European rabbit or rodent, or of a similar American animal; 'nutria,' the plucked fur or pelt of a South American aquatic rodent called the coypu; 'beaver' or 'muskrat' fur from animals of the same names; and other similar materials. The particular components of the felt from which American helmets were manufactured varied from one specification to the next. For example, in contrast to those already quoted, specifications adopted February 12, 1889, were noticeably different:
"Material: To be made of felt composed of two-fifths (2/5) yellow carroted double ring I H Russia, two-fifths (2/5) yellow carroted best coney backs, and one-fifth (1/5) best colored muskrat."
I have no idea what yellow carroted I H Russia means.
Dallas
"Material: To be made of felt composed of two-fifths (2/5) yellow carroted double ring I H Russia, two-fifths (2/5) yellow carroted best coney backs, and one-fifth (1/5) best colored muskrat."
I have no idea what yellow carroted I H Russia means.
Dallas
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Are Australian slouch hats and NZ Lemon squeezers rabbit fur?
Pat
Pat
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Is TR's hat here one of the regulation hats?
Pat
Pat
The alternative campaign hat - good pictures:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1880-Pattern-US-Arm ... dZViewItem
Dušan
http://cgi.ebay.com/1880-Pattern-US-Arm ... dZViewItem
Dušan
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Wow. How did you ever find an unissued one?Originally posted by dallas
It will be interesting to see what that hat sells for. I sold an unissued M1902 hat several years ago for $250.
Dallas
Pat