doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 14, 2012 Picked this up several years ago at an estate/consignment auction.There were a couple WW1 pieces there so I have always assumed its WW1 or pre WW1 era.Not in bad shape for its age.The original chin cain is there as well as the leather chin strap.Been thinking of parting with it as I dont really collect USMA but its a nice older piece of head gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted October 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted October 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted October 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted October 14, 2012 Share #5 Posted October 14, 2012 Very cool Ron! I know nothing about these but I'm very impressed with the history that it represents! Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted October 14, 2012 Share #6 Posted October 14, 2012 Ron, Thank you for posting. The Shako or Tar Bucket you have is an older one. The characteristics are the leather brim, earlier chain, and most importantly the academy crest. The crest was designed in 1899 but the designers made a mistake (unknown?) and faced Athena's helmet to the left, the heraldic sinister side. The flaw was identifed in 1922 and in 1923 they corrected the heraldic mistake and turned Athena's helmet to the prominent right. As with any item in the military it takes time to make the change. From my research the change was implemented on many items by 1925, rings etc, and on all items by 1929. So this Shako falls in that period somewhere, my guess is around 1915-1920 as I believe the earlier buckets have a shorter bill.. but those are all assumptions on my part as my reference books and pictures from the USMA museum are in storage. Is your shako named? Attached is a picture of shako in my collection from 1970's. As you can see the crest faces to the more prominent right. I have had others in my collection from the 30's - 50's but they are in storage or I have given them away. If you are going to pitch this one I may be interested. Regards, CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted October 14, 2012 Thanks CC for all the info.I had read that the helmet had been reversed at one time but wasnt sure when it was done.I recall it was early.There is a grey bell crown hat that was purchased with this but its shot gunned full of moth holes and no insignia. I also have a cadets uniform to a USMA grad who was captured at Bataan and later died on a Japanese POW ship.He was from Texas RON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted October 14, 2012 Share #8 Posted October 14, 2012 Ron, I have the register, etc., if you need additional information on him.. if you do not have it already. Did you know that the Smothers Brothers' father was a USMA grad who died on a POW ship? Regards, Curt Always interested in 2AD and older USMA items Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted October 14, 2012 Ron, I have the register, etc., if you need additional information on him.. if you do not have it already. Did you know that the Smothers Brothers' father was a USMA grad who died on a POW ship? Regards, Curt Always interested in 2AD and older USMA items THanks CC His name was Brown.Graduated in 1939 as I recall. Thats intresting about the Smothers Brothers.Never had heard that about their father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstop61 Posted October 15, 2012 Share #10 Posted October 15, 2012 Ron, Great shako thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMI88 Posted October 15, 2012 Share #11 Posted October 15, 2012 Nice shako! I think your estimate of 1915 - 1920 is spot-on; it's certainly not any later than that. It looks like the plate attaches with wire loops rather than screwposts, which makes it an early one. And of course the left-facing helmet also dates it to pre-1923. The construction is exactly like a named VMI shakos I own that dates to that period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted October 15, 2012 Share #12 Posted October 15, 2012 Ron, I sent you a PM regarding Brown, I need a first name as I don't believe he was in '39. CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff1959 Posted May 3, 2015 Share #13 Posted May 3, 2015 Hello - just checking to see if you still have the 1923 West Point shako and want to sell? I am a 1982 grad who collects old USMA headgear. If so - please give me a shout 918-527-5782 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theinsigne Posted May 5, 2015 Share #14 Posted May 5, 2015 Cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now