Blue Navy Enlisted Flat Cap

[Dirk]

“American Gunboats in Central China are a painful local joke...I think she is something you chaps inherited from Spain....” a line uttered by Mr. Outscout from the Movie “The Sand Pebbles” when describing ex-Spanish gunboats in American service. So what do we have here? The well worn ship’s tally reads USS Elcano. The USS Elcano was originally a 620 ton Spanish Gunboat captured during the Battle Manila Bay and recommissioned into our Navy in 1902. Soon after commissioning she left for Yangtze Patrol duty where she spent the rest of her career until decommissioned in 1928. Per Wikipedia only out of commission between 1907-10. Not sure of the era for this cap. The lining appears custom, with two bright multi-colored silk tassels. There is embellished stitching on the Tally. As shown below.

[Dirk]

Details of stitching on the tally 

[Eric Queen]

That is a very cool, historical piece Dirk. Would the multi-colored silk tassels be indicative of something done in China? 

[Dirk]

Thank you Eric! I am thinking that tassel is Chinese done....similar to materials and  colors used on some of my Shanghai made uniforms. 

[kanemono]

Wonderful cap! Thank you for posting it for us!

[trenchbuff]

I've also seen multi-colored tassels on Italian made flat hats from sailors assigned there during WW1.