1902 Artillery Dress Hat

[Redleg]

I just collected a 1902 Coast Artillery Dress Hat and have a question about the chin strap.  The side buttons are tight against the hat side and have no room for the strap.  The side buttons are the two-prong type and are tight on the inside.  Was there a chin strap?  About half of these hats I see on line do not have the chin strap.  The seller said the 18th Coast Artillery Company badge was on the hat when received.  This is private purchase hat per the label inside.

 

[CAC1901]

Yes it should have a chinstrap. They all did whether dress or field service type. I notice the side buttons here are the rimmed 1912 type which is a bit odd for the cap. Right about the same time 1912 is when the cap got the wider bell crown making it similar to todays dress caps. Usually you see the larger size crown and the rimmed eagles together.  My hunch is replaced side buttons.  When? - who knows. The device is the older pre-1905 type. The 18th was garrisoned at Fort Schuyler NY before going to the Philippines in 1911-12. 

[Redleg]

Hi CAC1901,

Thanks for your information.  I added a chin strap to bring the cap to a proper appearance.  Is this chin strap the right with?   I also include a view of the sweat band and small paper label for size 7 ¼.  Overall the hat looks to be in very good condition.

Redleg

[CAC1901]

Close. The regulation one was a little bit narrower and had a brass slide buckle in lieu of one of the leather loops here. 

[KurtA]

You’ll want to find a really moth-eaten ‘02 cap (which should be much cheaper) that has a chinstrap. Restore your cap with that chinstrap (and buttons) 

Monitor EBay for one