Nkomo Posted May 10, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 10, 2007 Another unknown piece from the museum pile. Any help is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share #2 Posted May 10, 2007 Medal on the opposite side of the cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duarte1223 Posted May 10, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 10, 2007 This is a US veterans association cap for the 40 and 8 (The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses). The 40 and 8 were named after some French train cars that held either 40 men or 8 horses, and were used to send men to or from the front lines during WW1, if I remember correctly. Adam EDIT: Here's the website: http://fortyandeight.org/ From the site: The Forty & Eight was formed in 1920 by American Legionnaires as an honor society and from its earliest days it has been committed to charitable aims. Membership is by invitation for members of the American Legion who have shown exemplary service. All Forty & Eight members are thus veterans of congressionally recognized wartime periods via their Legion membership. The Forty & Eight’s titles and symbols reflect its First World War origins. American servicemen in France were transported to the battle front on narrow gauge French railroads (Chemin de Fer) inside boxcars (Voitures) that were half the size of American boxcars. Each French boxcar was stenciled with a “40/8”, denoting its capacity to hold either forty men or eight horses. This ignominious and uncomfortable mode of transportation was familiar to all who traveled from the coast to the trenches; a common small misery among American soldiers who thereafter found “40/8” a lighthearted symbol of the deeper service, sacrifice and unspoken horrors of war that truly bind those who have borne the battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duarte1223 Posted May 10, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 10, 2007 Also, to one of the Uniform Moderators, I think this should be moved to the headgear section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted May 10, 2007 Thanks for the quick reply! Arch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted May 10, 2007 Also, to one of the Uniform Moderators, I think this should be moved to the headgear section. I"m sorry. The only reason I stuck this here was becasue the Uniforms section said headgear could be posted in this part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duarte1223 Posted May 10, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 10, 2007 Thanks for the quick reply!Arch No problem! One of my first items in my collection that didn't come from my Grandpa was a 40 and 8 hat I found at the local flea market, this one brings back memories! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DM1975 Posted May 10, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 10, 2007 We have a headgear forum? I know we have a helmet and protective gear forum but was unaware of a headgear forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted May 10, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 10, 2007 You can move it to the Veterans' Organizations forum where it will find company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duarte1223 Posted May 10, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 10, 2007 We have a headgear forum? I know we have a helmet and protective gear forum but was unaware of a headgear forum. Woops! I forgot which forum I was on! Sorry guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted May 10, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 10, 2007 On this forum it was intended that headgear would go with uniforms. The exception is helmets and ballistic protection devices (IE: flak jackets). It is also agreed that since this is not military headgear but rather a veteran organization item that it is a better fit in the VET SECT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SARGE Posted May 10, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 10, 2007 We will take it here. A nice example of a 40 & 8 cap with a good description of what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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