Chinese Nationalist Army (KMT) fur hats.

[Big J]

I'm looking at this picture of KMT officers re: 1937, and at the back 3 of them seems to be wearing a fur hat that at first glance looks like one of the early, pointed, Soviet Ushanka fur caps. Except that it isn't a Red Army ushanka (even though KMT was being supplied by Soviet Russia at the time), but rather some sort of central asian traditional style (sheep?) skin fur cap with a peak.



Can anyone name the style? I'd love to get one.

 

[hatophile]

Like this?

Found under Tibetan fur hat. Don't know where you get one, though.

 

[Edward]

Looks like a local version of the Ushanka. You might find one in a tourist market downtown in Beijing (but don't get it wet in case it goes tabby!). I've only ever seen the more-Russian style nylon and faux-fur ones that are currently issued, though.

 

[Big J]

Guys, that's kind of the style, but way much bigger ear flaps judging by the photos, and they do look like they have a uniform appearance, so I'm guessing that they were a mass produced in a nationalist factory item, to uniform standards, but based on the traditional local hats.

I'm going to have to check my e-mail lists and see who I know in Mongolia or something.

 

[Big J]

Maybe more this style?



Hmmm, I wonder how good the KMT museum would be about e-mail enquiries?

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Check this out....http://whitetigermilitary.com/pastfeatured.php

 

[Big J]

Check this out....http://whitetigermilitary.com/pastfeatured.php

Wow! I'm impressed! Thank you very much!

Whilst an IJA hat, it appears identical to those worn by the KMT troops in the photo I posted, so I can only guess that all sides in China adopted this utilitarian style in the extremely cold winters. I checked for other pictures of the IJA issue hat and found some great examples;




Now I know that Japanese right-wing nuts have got a handle on a good source of repro IJA uniforms, maybe they make repro winter fur hats? But how to follow that lead...?

 

[APP Adrian]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japane...ather-Rabbit-Fur-Cap-Dated-1943-/310401505961

This is from Japan.

 

[Big J]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japane...ather-Rabbit-Fur-Cap-Dated-1943-/310401505961

This is from Japan.

Wow! Thanks! I'm surprised that originals are in such good condition. One of the ones I pictured above is marked 'size; small', the eBay one is marked 'size;medium'. I'll keep my eyes open for something marked 'large'!

 

[APP Adrian]

Hey Big J. Do you want this specific Chinese winter hat or will you buy any hat that is made out of fur. I have a few suggestions ranging from $100 to $500.

Which color do you prefer? Leather hybrid or only fur? Have a specific fur in mind?



EDIT:

This thread is useful.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?29090-Ushanka/page2

 

[Big J]

Following on from APP Adrian's eBay link, a quick search put me onto this IJA fur hat repro, made to order in China!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/replica-WWI...ur-Cap-1943-/161224496544?hash=item2589ba95a0

Quality may be an issue (although likely not to be worse than war time) but custom sizing is just the ticket with my massive head, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to leave off the IJA patch! I wonder if these are made by the same people who make Japanese uniforms for the Chinese war dramas?

Well, I want to thank you all for helping me out on what I was pretty sure would be a real long shot, but came up trumps!
I'll post pics when it's all done!

 

[Lean'n'mean]

As already mentioned the Japanese army used similar hats which should be easier to find in your part of the world.....

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Following on from APP Adrian's eBay link, a quick search put me onto this IJA fur hat repro, made to order in China!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/replica-WWI...ur-Cap-1943-/161224496544?hash=item2589ba95a0

The eBay link has been blocked where I am but coming from China they may well be made from dog fur..........some people don't mind, others do, having seen how animals raised for their fur are treated in China I just thought it needed mentioning..

 

[Big J]

Lean'n'mean, that's a good point, I'd really prefer to avoid dog fur. Hmmm. I'd be happy to buy fur and send it to them to do the making!

 

[Edward]

The eBay link has been blocked where I am but coming from China they may well be made from dog fur..........some people don't mind, others do, having seen how animals raised for their fur are treated in China I just thought it needed mentioning..

It's a possibility. The las I heard, the main concern was that dog and cat fur was being passed off as faux fur, but either way... While the tide is turning (the influence of Western pop culture means that dogs and cats are more seen as pets than possible food in China now), there are still some areas in which dog and cat are eaten; I'd imagine using their fur is less of an issue there.

 

[APP Adrian]

Following on from APP Adrian's eBay link, a quick search put me onto this IJA fur hat repro, made to order in China!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/replica-WWI...ur-Cap-1943-/161224496544?hash=item2589ba95a0

Quality may be an issue (although likely not to be worse than war time) but custom sizing is just the ticket with my massive head, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to leave off the IJA patch! I wonder if these are made by the same people who make Japanese uniforms for the Chinese war dramas?

Well, I want to thank you all for helping me out on what I was pretty sure would be a real long shot, but came up trumps!
I'll post pics when it's all done!

Go buy it and post pics!

Remember not to put the ear flaps down until at least -20C .

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Now I know that Japanese right-wing nuts have got a handle on a good source of repro IJA uniforms, maybe they make repro winter fur hats? But how to follow that lead...?

I believe this is their source. Nakata Shoten makes repro IJA/IJN uniforms. My understanding is that unless you have a big order they don't really do business outside of Japan. The best you can hope for is secondary market via eBay.

http://www.nakatashoten.com/contents-japanriku02.html

 

[Bob Roberts]

The eBay link has been blocked where I am but coming from China they may well be made from dog fur..........some people don't mind, others do, having seen how animals raised for their fur are treated in China I just thought it needed mentioning..

+1

 

[Big J]

I believe this is their source. Nakata Shoten makes repro IJA/IJN uniforms. My understanding is that unless you have a big order they don't really do business outside of Japan. The best you can hope for is secondary market via eBay.

http://www.nakatashoten.com/contents-japanriku02.html

Thanks very much, I'm in Japan.
Those repros look good!

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I have a Nakata IJN officer's visor cap. I got it on eBay from a seller in Taiwan.