Just saw this last night and was struck by how all of the Cavalry WORE THEIR HATS! Tipped up in back and in front, in a way to achieve maximum sun exposure to the face and neck. Is this historically how the Cavalry wore their hats? A trivial question, but I'd really like to know.
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Good question. I've seen many photos of the Cavalry with tipped up hat brims. Here are some pics (Let me know if the links don't work):
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wbroyall.htm
http://www.medalofhonor.com/IsaiahMays9thCavalry.jpg
http://www.1st-hand-history.org/TrG/TrG_100.jpg
The company in SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON mostly wears their hats the same as they do in RUTLEDGE. Maybe it had to with where you were stationed. But photos of real Cavalry types show a dazzling array of hat wearing, even in the same company.
shareThis is more style than substance. 1950's movie-making. In reality, as was said, there were many issue-hats back then. Plus, officers on the frontier were not as strict about uniforms as their counterparts back in the "states". So the uniform of the day may not have been strictly adhered to and also probably civilian straw hats, etc. would have been worn on campaigns.
Neart, Grá agus Onóir
Thanks.
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I might also point out that with tipped up hats, it was easier to the movie patron to see the face of the actor. So maybe it's done as much for the theatre as for historicity.
V
That's what I suspect.
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Cavalrymen often wore their hats in this fashion because the force of air against the raised brim would act to hold the hat against the forehead and keep the hat on.
shareYou have to be careful even when going by original period photos because they wore their hats differently when officially posing I am sure. More formal. Even knowing a photographer was around would probably skew all of those he saw, except landscapes.
share[deleted]
Not always. Cavalry soldiers styled their hats depending on the time of day and the landscape. For example, hats tipped in the front didn't stop the sun, but allowed soldiers to see not just straight ahead but up as well, to the tops of hills or cliffs, to spot potential ambushes. At night, they'd have the tips down to help keep sand out of their eyes when the winds picked up. In combat, the fronts would be tipped up so they could see all around for targets.
shareThank you, that confirms what others have said. Hey, if it was good enough for Gabby Hayes...
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