USN peak visor question

[Bodes]

Forum members, I'm researching a potential service man's link to a navy blue officer's peak visor......It has the heavy blue wool top....The ones similar on the internet are called out as pre-WW2....Don't know if that's because the eagle is facing left or it's construction?....So my question is, did they use the heavy blue tops through WW2?.....All thoughts appreciated, Bodes

[Allan H.]

Bodes,

 

Before and during WWII, Naval visor caps had removable covers (tops) that were the corresponding color to the uniforms worn. So, if your naval officer was wearing a grey uniform, he would wear the visor cap with a grey top. You will also find tan tops, navy blue tops and white tops.

 

After WWII, the navy did away with the colored tops, wearing only white.

 

Allan

[Bodes]

Thanks Allan, Sounds than like the heavy blue wool covers saw use until the end of the second world war....The blue being winter, tan being summer (?).....What time of the year would they have switched over?.....The guy I'm researching mustered out in April '45, so curious as to whether/not they would have still been using the blue covers?....Bodes

[MattS]

The removable top and ability to have one cap for numerous uniforms is why the USN still refers to the officer's headgear as the "combination cap":

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/uniformcomponents/Pages/3501_9.aspx

[Justin B.]

Blue cap covers were a required item for all officers and CPOs until about 1963. Pretty much every WW2 (and Korea) officer would have one.

 

I think each Naval District or overseas command set their own dates for changing from Service Dress Blue A (blue cap) to SDB B (white cap), to whites (pre-war) or khaki depending on the local climate.

[Bodes]

The removable top and ability to have one cap for numerous uniforms is why the USN still refers to the officer's headgear as the "combination cap":

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/uniformcomponents/Pages/3501_9.aspx

Matt, I can't get the link to work.....Bodes

[Bodes]

Blue cap covers were a required item for all officers and CPOs until about 1963. Pretty much every WW2 (and Korea) officer would have one.

 

I think each Naval District or overseas command set their own dates for changing from Service Dress Blue A (blue cap) to SDB B (white cap), to whites (pre-war) or khaki depending on the local climate.

Justin, Thanks for the information....Would make sense about the weather of the location dictating time of change over....Bodes

[MattS]

Matt, I can't get the link to work.....Bodes

 

Weird. Here's the linking BUPERS page:

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter3/MaleOfficer/MO_ServiceDress/Pages/ServiceDressBlue.aspx

[sigsaye]

Blue Combination Cap covers were, basically worn when the Enlisted men wore their Dress Blue Caps (Flat Hats). So, in 1963, when the USN dropped the Flat hat for Enlisted, they dropped the blue cover for the Combination Cap.

[Justin B.]

Blue Combination Cap covers were, basically worn when the Enlisted men wore their Dress Blue Caps (Flat Hats).

 

Which I gather was quite rare after WW2? I had two uncles who were in the navy in the '50s, San Diego boot camp, and they both said they were issued flat hats but didn't recall that they ever wore them.

[sigsaye]

 

Which I gather was quite rare after WW2? I had two uncles who were in the navy in the '50s, San Diego boot camp, and they both said they were issued flat hats but didn't recall that they ever wore them.

. I remember my dad still had one in the early 1960s. He never wore it. He liked it, but as I recall, it was pretty much reserved for full dress occasions, and basically took up space in the locker. He was not sad to get did of it. I also remember, when they were dropped, just about every kid in San Diego had one to play with ?.

[KRIS FORD]

My gramps was in '53-'57, and said they only wore them when they went to NYC, New York. (3rd Naval District)

[Bodes]

My gramps was in '53-'57, and said they only wore them when they went to NYC, New York. (3rd Naval District)

Was it when the EM were wearing their dress blue flat hats?.......Just curious, Bodes

[Bodes]

Saw another USN peak visor today....Thinking post-WW2 however.....The top was white and seemed synthetic.....The stiffener behind the officer's eagle was steel....Eagle also appeared shinier.....Is my hunch correct?....The young antique dealer told me others told him it was WW2, but I didn't have the heart to tell him I think he's wrong...He has it priced at $150....Bodes

[MattS]

I think you're right, and I have USN officer caps I can't seem to sell for $25. Look inside at the construction of the frame, any plastic is a good clue that it's very post-WW2. Tops came in different materials, I've seen wool, Certified Navy Twill (CNT), and a waterproof vinyl.

[Bodes]

I think you're right, and I have USN officer caps I can't seem to sell for $25. Look inside at the construction of the frame, any plastic is a good clue that it's very post-WW2. Tops came in different materials, I've seen wool, Certified Navy Twill (CNT), and a waterproof vinyl.

Thanks Matt, I don't like disappointing people, but I have a feeling he traded for it....Just hope be didn't trade the farm for it....Bodes

[MattS]

Yeah, but is there anyone among us that hasn't made at least one bad trade over the years?

[Bodes]

Yeah, but is there anyone among us that hasn't made at least one bad trade over the years?

I don't make bad trades....My forte is walking away from good deals...Than just shake my head down the road, Bodes