kklinejr Posted November 6, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 6, 2007 I picked this piece up over the weekend on the cheap. It has a few moth holes, but is in overall sound condition. The EGA is poked through the hat (no grommet for EGA) and it features EGA marked visor buttons. I can't get them away from the hat far enough to read their makers. Any opinions on type, authenticity, etc, etc, etc? Doesn't seem like an enlisted visor, but I have little experience with this type of item. Thanks! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kklinejr Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share #2 Posted November 6, 2007 Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted November 6, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 6, 2007 My gut reaction is that it is an old fraternal cap that someone has put together. I don't remember any bullion chinstrap on Marine or Army caps of the period. The fact that there is no grommet for the EGA immediately raises a red flag for me. Sorry friend. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted November 6, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 6, 2007 You might want to compare the EGA with those in this thread: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=9168 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted November 6, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 6, 2007 I don't know anything about vintage Marine covers, but this hat looks like one of the fireman's hat, or train conductor hats you see in the antique shops... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted November 6, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 6, 2007 My gut reaction is that it is an old fraternal cap that someone has put together. I don't remember any bullion chinstrap on Marine or Army caps of the period. The fact that there is no grommet for the EGA immediately raises a red flag for me. Sorry friend.Steve DITTO... I presume Jeremiah and Mark will see this and elaborate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted November 6, 2007 Share #7 Posted November 6, 2007 My gut reaction is that it is an old fraternal cap that someone has put together. I don't remember any bullion chinstrap on Marine or Army caps of the period. The fact that there is no grommet for the EGA immediately raises a red flag for me. Sorry friend.Steve I found two photos of Marine Band director John Philip Sousa wearing a similar cap with, of all things, what appear to be Navy insignia, but it does have the bullion chinstrap (I put a small black and white version of the above cap in this collage): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbuehler Posted November 6, 2007 Share #8 Posted November 6, 2007 The EGA is of course incorrect and is the type worn on the early paddle shoulder boards. Regarding the cap itself, if it does not have a quatrefoil on the top of the crown or grommet for the ornament, it is not Marine Corps. Also, the chin strap is incorrect as well. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the quatrefoil is there. Officer's hats from this era are rare, even without the ornament or proper chin strap. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kklinejr Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted November 6, 2007 Hey, for the price I got what I expected...a mock -up. No quatrefoil above which I knew crossed out an officer's cap and the bullion strap also led me to also question this being an enlisted piece. For the price, I couldn't complain. I'll set this in with some other "oddities" I have picked up over the years. Thanks for the opinions...as I said, about what I expected. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted November 6, 2007 Share #10 Posted November 6, 2007 No quatrefoil, no eyelet for the EGA and the chin strap should have a scarlet stripe running through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcaviator Posted November 7, 2007 Share #11 Posted November 7, 2007 IMO, that cap is a train conductor or band cap. It sports a mohair band which is only found on officer's caps (but those have a quatrefoil on top), it also has a non-military dress chin strap. The whole thing looks like a poor attempt at the enlisted P1904 dress cap, which should sport a heavier guage gilted brass or gilder's medal EGA. It has a Bannerman's (I suspect 2 prong or 4 prong) nickled EGA and some Marine side buttons. The only thing actually Marine on this cap or saw service is the buttons (my opinion is that Bannerman EGAs never saw any service). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted November 7, 2007 Share #12 Posted November 7, 2007 I agree that the lack of the grommet almost immediately disqualifies it as USMC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremiahcable Posted November 7, 2007 Share #13 Posted November 7, 2007 Ken, if you got it cheap enough it may be that you have a good EGA and chinstrap buttons. Sadly these things are being built and faked like crazy now. Looks like everyone pretty much summed it up. Jeremiah 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