warguy Posted November 19, 2018 Share #51 Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks again guys. I find it interesting that Eastman Leather Company sells a WWII reproduction of the blue wool cap. This company,which prides itself on authenticity to the last stitch offers a blue wool cap advertised as USN aviator WWII, and theirs has the horse hide sweatband, four stitches across the bill. Black tape reinforcing the four panel seam inside, and the linen support inside the front. It is also offered with metal grommets. Similar to many seen here, but it is also apparent there must have been some variation as previously stated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted November 19, 2018 Share #52 Posted November 19, 2018 Yes Eastman made a repro. The official issue cap (the blue ones and red and green for ground crew) were adopted in the the Class 37 catalog around 1945. Eastman leather blue wool cap is repro of official issue cap contracted in 1945 year. They even make a label. I never see orgin label but I supposed that his label is based on orgin ones. Earlier than 1945 most of these caps were private purchase so all are similar but can be different in some details as we see in previous posts. Cheers, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #53 Posted November 20, 2018 I have a great one I had my friend Boonie pup do some work on it though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #54 Posted November 20, 2018 rRL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #55 Posted November 20, 2018 Lived here as a kid Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #56 Posted November 20, 2018 Unlike some people I am not uptight and stand behind what I preach Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #57 Posted November 20, 2018 Okinawa style embroidery Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #58 Posted November 20, 2018 Okinawa style embroidery Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted November 20, 2018 Share #59 Posted November 20, 2018 And fun beercans Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted November 21, 2018 Share #60 Posted November 21, 2018 Here is the example in my collection ID'd to a fella with VT-5 , Torpedo Squadron 5. It is listed for sale in the Helmets For-Sale section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share #61 Posted December 1, 2018 Finally got my repro cap broken in, I had to reshape the sweatband and trim out some excess material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted December 1, 2018 Share #62 Posted December 1, 2018 Finally got my repro cap broken in, I had to reshape the sweatband and trim out some excess material. Who made this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share #63 Posted December 1, 2018 Who made this? At The Front, they had them on closeout for $9.99 (see post #15). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted December 4, 2018 Share #64 Posted December 4, 2018 Good one ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share #65 Posted December 4, 2018 Good one ! It's a nice cap, and very comfortable once it's broken in. These were "seconds" because they weren't steam pressed at the factory leaving the sweatband all kinds of crooked. I followed their advice and wet it down with warm water and wore it around the house. Once it dried, the sweatband was the proper shape. I guess ATF wasn't selling very many so they were discontinued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted June 2, 2019 Share #66 Posted June 2, 2019 Came across this image of Major Joseph J McGlothlin (far right), CO of VMF-313 while stationed on Leyte. A couple of notables is the wearing of the green nylon flight suit, standard trouser belt but with a private purchase type holster and a revolver. The specific point related to this topic is the Boston Red Socks cap with an added feature of an EGA on the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted June 2, 2019 Share #67 Posted June 2, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted June 2, 2019 Share #68 Posted June 2, 2019 Heres one i had awhile back......mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddPZ Posted June 29, 2021 Share #69 Posted June 29, 2021 Hi M Name is Todd and while I rarely post, I do read a lot of these posts, this is a GREAT TOPIC!!! I have a question, What I would like to know is what the Visor Length for the various WWII Issued and Worn ones is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmar836 Posted August 7, 2021 Share #70 Posted August 7, 2021 Hi, Todd. The period cap bills were likely shorter than most repros you will find. Every once in a while you see one that has a larger looking crown and larger bill but those are the exception IMO. This pic from page 1 is an example though it is down tight on his head and still hasn't reached his ears. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted August 7, 2021 Share #71 Posted August 7, 2021 Glad to see this old post pop up again. I thought it might be a chance to share my latest folly. I have an Eastman A2 jacket coming representing the 23rd fighter group and thought it might be fun to do up one of their repo hats to represent the group. Here is a photo of how it turned out. It needs to be worn and probably fade some. I included a shot of what their tag looks like inside as it was discussed in this thread. The spirit behind this creation came from a real red WWII cap similarly marked (to a different unit) that appears on the Eastman site in the listing for their this hat. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmar836 Posted August 7, 2021 Share #72 Posted August 7, 2021 Turned out great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted August 7, 2021 Share #73 Posted August 7, 2021 Thank you dmar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmar836 Posted August 7, 2021 Share #74 Posted August 7, 2021 Personally, I think most of the reproductions copy each other or chase one example and leave the pattern too much. It's easy to do as the devil is in the details. When the modern repros get all beat up they tend to look like 60s era caps IMO. Testing is the only way to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmar836 Posted August 7, 2021 Share #75 Posted August 7, 2021 Leaving out or removing the top button is quite intentional! 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