WWII Japanese Navy (IJN) Field Cap

[History Man]

I found this earlier today along with a WWII US 2nd Lt. marked helmet set. This was just pulled out of a barn estate clear out over the weekend, so I guess you could call this "farm fresh." From what the seller told me, the man brought this back from his time on Iwo Jima.

 

It is an IJN (Japanese Navy) field cap. It is in used condition, while the overall shape is good...the right side has some fabric damage. It has a sewn label inside with writing on it. The cap has a cloth chinstrap which is attached to it. There is a blue band which goes around the entire length of the cap and then a sewn oval with blue/black anchor on it.

 

Since I do not collect Japanese material for the most part, can anyone shed some light on the cap? I have seen some similar but none that are a match.

 

Philip

 

[History Man]

Side with damage, in person it looks a lot better.

[History Man]

Front

[History Man]

Close up of front insignia

[History Man]

Back

[History Man]

Chinstrap

[History Man]

Inside

[History Man]

Label

[agate hunter]

Nice find.

[vintageproductions]

It's a nice, honest, Japanese Navy NCO field cap

[katieony]

Very nice find...congratulations!

 

Mike

[ScottG]

A great petty officer cap and one of the harder Japanese caps to find, the blue version being perhaps the toughest. Scott

[History Man]

Thank you for the information and comments, was very surprised to find this one.

 

Philip

[Kaigun Shosa]

From the information on the label, the cap was issued out of the Yokosuka Navy depot in July of 1943.

The second to last column is the man’s name and the last column is his duty station. If I can have it translated for you I will post.

 

Regards,

Jim

[uplandmod]

My friend Daniel King wrote:

 

The tag tells us the following information: It was issued July 1943. He was a volunteer (as opposed to a draftee) was mustered into the Navy at Yokosuka Naval base with a job classification of general sailor. His seriel # is there too, but I can't see it due to the fold.

 

Hope that Helps!

 

LF

[67Rally]

That is a very nice piece! Congrats on the unintended score!!!

[Ricardo]

Very nice cap. Staining can be blood stains.

[History Man]

Thank you for the information Leonardo and Jim, here is a better photo of the label.

 

Philip

[BROBS]

Very nice cap. Staining can be blood stains.

I doubt it.

 

nice cap still.

 

-Brian