WWII Khaki Officer Crusher Cap by Society Brand

RayR · Mar 16, 2015

It was on this forum that I first heard of Society Brand so I hope this is the correct place for this review.

I am thrilled at the quality and price of my new Crusher Cap by Society Brand. http://wwiiflightwear.com/wwii/headwear/crusher-caps/
And I do not mean quality for the price...because these are comparatively the lowest price Hand Made repro I have found (Not counting the things like $89 caps made overseas and not at all accurate)
The quality of materials and design is dean-on and exactly what I would expect were I an officer in WWII and purchasing a nice cap.

Pictures speak louder than words. I wanted a great khaki color, dark brim, crusher to wear around. I have some great ones: Flighter, another very well made but missing maker identification, and others, but they all have a few moth bites and stains that I don't want to aggravate with wear. Take a look:

Rather than the Flighter visor option, I choose the flexible "regulation" 2-ply visor

And here is a comparison with a WWII version who's maker name is worn out. Different badges and visor shades are apparent

I also choose the color of the braid. Here is one more look at the inside with silk lining:

I was told to expect about 6 weeks wait. Glad to say it actually came in about 5, with great communication and service.

Jim Flynn · Mar 17, 2015

It's a beauty! I really do fancy one of those.

DavidJones · Mar 21, 2015

Very nice. I especially like the one with the brown bill.

Zemke Fan · Apr 4, 2015

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... Just contacted the proprietor about making me a 1940s TWA cap to go along with my vintage cap badge!

bkarma · Apr 21, 2015

Thank you for the detailed review, makes me want to get one now.

scotrace · Apr 21, 2015

Excellent cap.

Zemke Fan · Jun 17, 2015

Not a WWII crusher... BUT, a WWII-era TWA pilot's cap in summer weight/color from Society Brand. Thanks, Pete!!

Society Brand Hat Company Website: wwiiflightwear.com

Can't WAIT to see it! (All original buttons and cap badge supplied by me. Chinstrap is NOS 1930s US Navy.)

Ponsenby · Jun 20, 2015

They look nice- I have an original crushed SD cap with that darker shade brim and strap and the repro looks identical!

scottyrocks · Dec 10, 2015

Ray, I have begun the process of trying to choose what I want in a Society crusher cap.

For me, too many choices is not a good thing, as I sometimes have trouble making decisions.

I have a few questions.

Regarding the bill, ideally, I would like to be able to sample, in my hands, both the single and double layer bills. Seeing as I most likely will not be able to do that, can you describe the differences in appearance, feel, if any, and the stiffness and shape-ability of the two bills? Does the double layer conform to your head properly? Does it look and/or feel too stiff? Does the single layer look sloppy or does it hold its shape?

RayR · Dec 10, 2015

I have not samples airsoft single-layer version bill. The one I had is double layer and it was from my experience with authentic apps, semi soft and confirmed to the head comfortably. It was very authentic to the originals. I can only assume the single layer is very flexible and folds in half like the originals. But like I said I haven't had one of theirs to be sure. Wish I could help more

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

scottyrocks · Dec 12, 2015

Thanks to your thread(s), Ray, and my communications with Pete, I have made a decision on exactly what I want, and am now in the process of ordering a crusher cap.

The specs of mine will have to wait to be posted here until I order or receive it. I'm psyched!

RayR · Dec 12, 2015

I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the excellent craftsmanship. Please do remember to post some pics

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

Ozarkian · Dec 12, 2015

RayR said:
It was on this forum that I first heard of Society Brand so I hope this is the correct place for this review.

I am thrilled at the quality and price of my new Crusher Cap by Society Brand. http://wwiiflightwear.com/wwii/headwear/crusher-caps/
And I do not mean quality for the price...because these are comparatively the lowest price Hand Made repro I have found (Not counting the things like $89 caps made overseas and not at all accurate)
The quality of materials and design is dean-on and exactly what I would expect were I an officer in WWII and purchasing a nice cap.

Pictures speak louder than words. I wanted a great khaki color, dark brim, crusher to wear around. I have some great ones: Flighter, another very well made but missing maker identification, and others, but they all have a few moth bites and stains that I don't want to aggravate with wear. Take a look:

Rather than the Flighter visor option, I choose the flexible "regulation" 2-ply visor

And here is a comparison with a WWII version who's maker name is worn out. Different badges and visor shades are apparent

I also choose the color of the braid. Here is one more look at the inside with silk lining:

I was told to expect about 6 weeks wait. Glad to say it actually came in about 5, with great communication and service.

Now you just need one of these and you'll be set!

Blackjack · Dec 21, 2015

I keep getting Page Not Found??? They still in business???????

scottyrocks · Dec 22, 2015

The last time I looked, the site was down for maintenance and will reopen after the holidays.

scottyrocks · Dec 22, 2015

RayR said:
I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the excellent craftsmanship. Please do remember to post some pics

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

I sure will.

Jayessgee · Dec 22, 2015

I still have my Dad's hat. Got a picture of him in it somewhere. Have to dig it up. He was in the CBI, 1943-45.
Now myself, I had one of those too but, it was green. We called them saucer hats or "bus driver" hats and the stiffeners were never removed. I was one of the last soldiers to wear one in fact. For what ever reason, I held onto mine and delighted in lousing up the unit's uniformity. Regulations called for the round hat to be worn for class A formations over the "overseas cap." (I will NOT repeat what we called those!) Everybody else got rid of there's when they were discontinued but the regs did not call for their DISuse until a certain date. I remember My first shirt showing me the memo and saying "Now get rid of that d---ed thing!" Lol.
Back to Dad's hat, I'll have to dig it out and photograph it. Still has the rain cover for it. I doubt you'll see many of THOSE items around.

societybrandhatco · Jan 15, 2016

Blackjack, I took a break during the holidays. You can view our website again.

bkarma · Feb 6, 2016

nice ! thanks for the info.

scottyrocks · May 4, 2016

My cap arrived a couple of days ago. Short story is I'm thrilled with it.

Quality is astounding, and although I wasn't alive back when these caps were used in-service, I am sure that this cap is virtually indistinguishable from what was custom made by Bancroft and other companies.

This thing is beautiful. I can barely work up the desire to remove it from my head.

I have found that it is just a tad too big for me, so I applied some surgical tape, which is not very sticky, and easily removable without damaging the leather sweat. It sits a little better on my head now.

WWII Khaki Officer Crusher Cap by Society Brand

One of the Regulars

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

Call Me a Cab

New in Town

Head Bartender

Call Me a Cab

Familiar Face

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

New in Town

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Familiar Face

Vendor

New in Town

I'll Lock Up

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics