Military Hat Photos

[DOUGLAS]

Sorry for the question but is there a correct place to show military caps? I have a few and would like to show them if this is the proper location.

 

[Zemke Fan]

Depends...

Are they Roman chariot-driving helmets? Cherokee war bonnets? Kaiser Wilhelm spikey-topped-looking-kinda-flakey caps? If not, post away!

 

[DOUGLAS]

I have some of those I think but I was thinking WWII only for here. Any restriction on country?

 

[PADDY]

WW2 cap restrictions...

Just show us what you have got dear fellow and we'll determine whether they are likely to offend or not, but most folk here are trusted to police themselves with sound judgement and common sense.
Tasteful photos are always welcomed by the ladies and gents here!

US crushers and AAF headgear are poplular as are other WW2 Allied military headwear. Good definition in the shots are also welcomed, as many here use such photos for research into their own 'look' when collecting, putting full uniforms together or reenacting/educating...etc.

Good to have you on board, so what have you got sir? fire away...

 

[DOUGLAS]

Ok here are some WWII caps. I can not vouch for their authenticity but most are made very well. The ones that I know are repros I will identify the rest I have assumed are real unless some one can point out why they are not.

Italian Army .The liner in this one looks too good to be period and the rank and branch band looks to be in reverse.

 

[DOUGLAS]

I will post them one at a time.

 

[DOUGLAS]

British RAF

 

[PADDY]

WW2 vintage service hats...

Douglas, I just love the Italian cap, as the Italians' had so much flair for fashion in their uniforms (and actually had some cutting edge military units too, such as the X-MAS, the first of the underwater and seaborne commando units, from which others then took inspiration with the likes of the SBS, SEAL, ..etc).

The RAF officer's cap is actually post war and post 1952 (as it has the Queen's Crown, not the King's Crown KC of the WW2 era). So the RAF cap is probably a wee bit too modern for the WWII room (but if you have a KC then pop it on!!).

Thanks for the efforts on this, really appreciated and I believe the Italian cap is a first on the forum, so well done!! What else hiding in that closet of yours...?

 

[deanglen]

Great to see the military hats! Having initiated a short thread on US military campaign hats of the Indian/Spanish American war period, it's nice to see another with an interest in military related headgear. (Do you think Borsalino may have manufactured Alipini troops hats for the Italians?)

 

[DOUGLAS]

Paddy thanks for the correction. Admitably I don't know very much about how to identify the years of my caps. I take it on faith that they are what they are said to be. I actually have the entire uniform for that British cap and it is made well so I'm not too upset more embarassed really. I have more Italian caps.I love the aire of superiority that they show.

Italian Artillery?( crossed canons for me indicates this branch )

The metal embroidery on this hat is spectacular.

 

[DanielJones]

Your collection never ceases to amaze Douglas. Like I had said, you are holding bach on us. Love what I have seen so far.:eusa_clap

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DOUGLAS]

I'll get them out eventually.
I don't know if this is the correct area to show these hats but it was moved here from the WWII section so untill some one objects I will post them.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Deanglen, I would imagine that having a military contract during war time would be a win fall for any company. I also think that if asked by the government to do so a company like Borsalino would not have much room to refuse. I could be wrong though.

 

[hatflick1]

I was fortunate to know several British and American veterans of the WWII African campaign, including my uncle who was captured in Italy some time later. They all spoke of how the Germans preferred Italian uniforms, especially the tunics which Wermacht officers found difficult to keep their troops from wearing. I have even seen photos of Germans surrendering dressed in the flare and tailoring of the Italian army.

 

[Razzman]

Great stuff Douglas. This is all very interesting and informative. :eusa_clap
Thanks for sharing.

 

[DOUGLAS]

I have no idea what county this is from but it is a cool hat.

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I have no idea what county this is from but it is a cool hat.

I would be willing to bet that is a German hat of some sort, or else made by somebody who copied a German hat. The design of the "peak," the colored waffenfarbe trim around the edges, the silver braid, the style of brim, and the diamond-shaped plastic on the interior all scream "German" to me.

By the way, is this thread open to anybody to post pictures of WWII military hats? I have a couple which would fit in with the theme of this thread.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Looks like it's from one of those un-named Eastern European countries that the guys from Mission: Impossible "visited."

 

[DOUGLAS]

It does have that German flavor to it but some how I think they would have used better materials. My thought is that it could be a foreign volunteer or a facsist organization from northeastern Europe like Estonia or there abouts. I have several books on caps and I have never seen this type of emblem or eagle.

I started this at the WWII section but it was moved here.

 

[DanielJones]

It has sort of a DDR flair about it. East German perhaps?

Cheers!

Dan