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The Cap Faction

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,557
Location
Minnesota, USA
Good evening sir.

Johnathan Richards cap: The company was founded in 1924 by a tailor named Jonathan and a marketer named Richard. This company's caps evoke the best of traditional Irish Tweed design. They are marketed today. Example here: https://www.giftsofireland.com/collections/johnathan-richard/products/irish-gatsby-touring-cap The donegal wool of your cap appears to be very nice. The fabric sweatband and "plastic tip" make it a newer cap. It does not appear to have vintage (50's or earlier) cap characteristics. This does not make it an inferior cap.

I am not familiar with the label and perhaps you can contact the company direct for the dating question.


As to the other cap I am unsure other than recognizing the cap as a "driving cap" style. I see your cap's slim and streamlined style as being a "hip" or stylish recently. I can not assist with dating.

The above said, nothing detracts from the caps having pleasing wool patterns and hues. If you enjoy wearing them - cheers!

Best, Eric -
 

Christopher Smith

New in Town
Messages
39
Good evening sir.

Johnathan Richards cap: The company was founded in 1924 by a tailor named Jonathan and a marketer named Richard. This company's caps evoke the best of traditional Irish Tweed design. They are marketed today. Example here: https://www.giftsofireland.com/collections/johnathan-richard/products/irish-gatsby-touring-cap The donegal wool of your cap appears to be very nice. The fabric sweatband and "plastic tip" make it a newer cap. It does not appear to have vintage (50's or earlier) cap characteristics. This does not make it an inferior cap.

I am not familiar with the label and perhaps you can contact the company direct for the dating question.


As to the other cap I am unsure other than recognizing the cap as a "driving cap" style. I see your cap's slim and streamlined style as being a "hip" or stylish recently. I can not assist with dating.

The above said, nothing detracts from the caps having pleasing wool patterns and hues. If you enjoy wearing them - cheers!

Best, Eric -
Thanks so much for all the info.
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,462
Location
Illinois
I've hung out for years in the outerwear section posting on leather jackets. I bought this cap recently. I'm very good with vintage leather jackets, but don't know anything about caps. I thought this cap looked old. What can you tell me.

Thanks

more pictures https://photos.app.goo.gl/6fXkmnR7ZvrctvhH6

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Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
The M1941 herringbone twill patrol cap was introduced in 1941 and used by the U.S. Army throughout World War II and the Korean War:

7XWxeNw.jpg


Allegedly made to the same specification as those actually used by the troops, this is a modern reproduction. Their sizing is a little off so the cap fits a bit snug, but it's comfortable and doesn't leave any marks. The crown is only one layer with no liner, so I'm looking forward to breaking this one in to see how the material relaxes and shapes itself.

Next is the next step in the evolution of the U.S. Army patrol cap, the M1951:

5Ijepmz.jpg


A slightly different pattern for the crown resulted in a slightly different shape without the vertical seams seen on the previous version. This version of the patrol cap was introduced in the Korean War, and some variation is still in use by the various branches of the U.S. Military to this day.

If any of this is wrong please correct me. I've found very little on the 'Net regarding the history of these caps. Oh, and the dog tags are only a bit of Halloween theatricality; I was never in the military.
 

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,557
Location
Minnesota, USA
I've hung out for years in the outerwear section posting on leather jackets. I bought this cap recently. I'm very good with vintage leather jackets, but don't know anything about caps. I thought this cap looked old. What can you tell me.

Thanks

more pictures https://photos.app.goo.gl/6fXkmnR7ZvrctvhH6

View attachment 273656 View attachment 273658 View attachment 273657 View attachment 273659 View attachment 273660 View attachment 273666

I apologize as I know nothing about vintage leather caps. I hope others can provide sage wisdom about the providence of your cap. Looks interesting from your pics. Pic of you wearing would be interesting when you have time.

The M1941 herringbone twill patrol cap was introduced in 1941 and used by the U.S. Army throughout World War II and the Korean War:

7XWxeNw.jpg


Allegedly made to the same specification as those actually used by the troops, this is a modern reproduction. Their sizing is a little off so the cap fits a bit snug, but it's comfortable and doesn't leave any marks. The crown is only one layer with no liner, so I'm looking forward to breaking this one in to see how the material relaxes and shapes itself.

Next is the next step in the evolution of the U.S. Army patrol cap, the M1951:

5Ijepmz.jpg


A slightly different pattern for the crown resulted in a slightly different shape without the vertical seams seen on the previous version. This version of the patrol cap was introduced in the Korean War, and some variation is still in use by the various branches of the U.S. Military to this day.

If any of this is wrong please correct me. I've found very little on the 'Net regarding the history of these caps. Oh, and the dog tags are only a bit of Halloween theatricality; I was never in the military.

Cool Patrol Cap. After my Dad was released by the North Koreans (captured when his jet was downed) he sent a pic to my mom during his recovery in Hawaii with a similar cap. His cap was blue as I recall my mom telling us. When I was a little kid my mom would share the black and white pic and share the story about learning that our Dad survived and that after rehab he was coming back to my mom. My Mom was at college and my Dad enrolled ( War vet-GI Bill) and they both would go on to get PHD's. In the pic his had the brim turned jauntily up. Sadly, no military stuff survived his reintegration back to "normal" college life (GI Bill) after discharge.

It's fine. And like a Beret, you can style it different ways, what ever you like.

Congrats sir. Looks like a good warm weather cap.
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
...Cool Patrol Cap. After my Dad was released by the North Koreans (captured when his jet was downed) he sent a pic to my mom during his recovery in Hawaii with a similar cap. His cap was blue as I recall my mom telling us...
First, I'm pleased to hear your Dad survived being captured; not every soldier was so lucky. As for the cap, from what I've read online the various companies around the world that were awarded contracts to make uniforms and accessories throughout the first two World Wars regularly used indigo denim for some of the components, so a blue cap (like the USAAF A-3) doesn't surprise me.
 

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,557
Location
Minnesota, USA
My uncle was in Korea. He was a mechanic there. He said some of the bombers had nitrous oxide systems on them... and the pilots would overuse the nitrous every flight they made, which is very hard on the engines, also meaning my uncle and his team would have to rebuild the engines every time the guys took them out.

A big thanks to your uncle. My Dad did not speak often about his service days, but he always had kind and generous words for the folks who maintained the Sabre jet he flew.
 

Pandemic

One Too Many
Messages
1,503
Location
In The Flat Field
I’m not much of a hat wearer, but I’ve been thinking about getting a couple of caps. Maybe one waxed for winter weather and something lighter for summer. I’m hoping you folks can help me with a question.

What style do you call this:

B86B8A30-1775-4058-B080-2C8604587824.jpeg
 

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