dskjl Posted June 26, 2017 Share #1 Posted June 26, 2017 thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted June 26, 2017 inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted June 26, 2017 Share #3 Posted June 26, 2017 The one thing I am sure of is at the time this hat was part of a uniform there was a separate Air Force. The U.S. Army Air Force no longer existed. One small detail, but if it was a donation for charity who can be sure. If actually tied to Gen. Lemay it is an awsome piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted June 27, 2017 Agreed on the old label in the 70's hat, pretty cool just wondering if it's legit and what it's really worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted June 27, 2017 I do like the silver embossed name on the sweatband. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted June 27, 2017 Share #6 Posted June 27, 2017 There has been a known faker selling hats on E-Bay such as one supposedly belonging to Ira Eaker with embossing on the sweatband exactly like that I don't think this one is passing the smell test for me Tom Bowers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted June 27, 2017 Share #7 Posted June 27, 2017 Here's the thread discussing this http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/182566-fake-uniforms-and-hats-to-patton-eaker-pyle-stewart-and-more/?hl=%2Bira+%2Beaker+%2Bhat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 27, 2017 Share #8 Posted June 27, 2017 I seem to remember this hat (or another one of his?) being discussed before. Personally, I don't like this one. If I saw it on a guy's table at a show for $500 (which would be a bargain) I'd pass on it...too many questions to risk the investment. My opinion only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniformcollector Posted June 27, 2017 Share #9 Posted June 27, 2017 I always try to be careful with Navy Relief items. I've seen about 40 of them and only about 5 seems authentic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4STARCHRIS Posted June 27, 2017 Share #10 Posted June 27, 2017 The hats looks as if it was barely worn. The sweatband is impeccable. The bullion does not appear tarnished. The bill has no worn features on him putting the hat on and taking it off. I have collected numerous general officers hat that HAVE been worn and this does not appear to be the case here. Did it belong to him....maybe. 4starchris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted June 27, 2017 I passed on it. It does seem like somebody put it together to fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted June 27, 2017 Share #12 Posted June 27, 2017 I would not buy this for my collection for the reasons outlined above. Many fakes from the relief society auctions have surfaced in recent years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Costa Posted June 27, 2017 Share #13 Posted June 27, 2017 I have doubts that this would have belonged to Lemay. First of all this hat dates from the late 1980's. Lemay retired from service in 1965. I doubt he upgraded his uniforms after that date. Most retired generals rarely wore their uniforms. The visor hat for the USAFCOS during his tenure wore 6 clouds and darts around the hat band on each side. Later versions such as this hat had only 5 clouds and darts on each side of the hat band. See photos of Lemay and you will the difference in the hat bands from the 1960's to the 1980's and later versions. As you can see from this photo the second set of darts on each side are too far apart from front set on each side indicating that this is a 5 each sided version. i collect USAFCOS so I definately place this hat in the mid 1980's. Mark Costa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted June 27, 2017 Thanks, to all, it didn't pass the test for any of us. Your support is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted June 27, 2017 Share #15 Posted June 27, 2017 This cap, while of the correct Chief of Staff pattern, looks to be dark blue polyester and post-dates LeMay's 1965 retirement. I'm not saying he couldn't have owned it, but he didn't own it while he was CoS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 27, 2017 Share #16 Posted June 27, 2017 Another thing to consider was that he was widely known (perhaps "legendary" is a better term!) as a cigar smoker. Over the years, the smoke alone would have tarnished the bullion (and this all looks new...age notwithstanding!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted June 27, 2017 Share #17 Posted June 27, 2017 Those photos show 2 different caps (out of who knows how many he had), but neither has the wide spacing between the 1st and 2nd clouds on the capband that this cap does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted June 27, 2017 Share #18 Posted June 27, 2017 This is another different cap where the lightning bolts nearly touch the eagle's feet: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeromeg111/5478440602 This might be the same cap he is wearing in the photo with JFK (see insert). 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