Jump to content

USMC P1912 EM's Bell Crown Cap


nchistory
 Share

Recommended Posts

Any thoughts on this green Model 17? I've seen the blue often but seldom the green. Seems to be high quality wool. Were they used pre, war, or post, and are there regulations describing this pattern. Did it come out with the Model 12/17? All help is greatly appreciated.

post-153086-0-96881100-1439139503.jpg

post-153086-0-93449200-1439139512.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

P1912 pattern EM bell crown cap. Same pattern as the blue ones of this period, just worn with the service green uniform. This particular one appears it might be of officers quality-can you tell if it is garbadine? Sometimes done as opposed to the thicker more course wool of the EM pattern. Is there any contract or maker mark information? This pattern was in place until the changes in the cap shape in 1922. For what it is worth, the blue ones do seem to come on the market a bit more than the green ones. Nice cap! Kevin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello,

That's a very nice typical cap of one type of model 1912 contract cap as warguy said. He's correct in saying it's different from others you see with the different quality wool like the uniforms were made of. Though this is kind of a gaberdine type cloth, it's not officer quality. It's actually rather course, and you will also notice the chin strap and visor are also of lesser quality than either the officer, or the cap with the wool body. The one you pictured has a strap and visor made of an oil cloth type material, whereas on the the other cap both are made of leather. Still, it's a desirable cap as they were used often, probably later in the war. If I were still buying these, I'd go for it. Good luck in getting it!

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are there other examples of painted cloth strap and visor? I have seen painted cloth straps, but first I've seen without a leather visor? I guess cheaper materials would indicate wartime manufacture. I'm purely guessing they weren't made post 1919 with much surplus on hand at war's end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you're asking if there are other examples of these hat, the answer is yes, there are a lot of them out there. If you're asking if there are other types of hats with painted cloth straps and visors, I'd have to say "I don't know."

 

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Hello gentlemen, I would suggest this Marine hat is the war time model of 1917 or 1918. I would have to say it is a private purchase hat for enlisted Marines due to the absence of the Quatrafoil on the top that was required for officers. Although the hat body is of the pattern 1912 Bellcrown notice the visor is much longer than a 1912 Bellcrown which is quite a short and has a very small brim. The length of this brim is also found on the Army visor model 1917 to 1918's. Also based on the color if it is correctly shown looks like a faded Forest Green color more than the regulation Army OD. Many of the color dyes used a hundred years ago change in shade and tone. It is a beautiful hat and super hard to find in this condition. Most of the Quartermaster issued Marine Visors during the war were Army OD in color. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...