USMC Utility Covers

[VMI88]

Here is an example of the current issue digital pattern utility cover:

 

[VMI88]

Note the embroidered EGA -- I think this looks really sharp:

[DevilDan1900]

Here is where my utility cover resides. It's the short bill WWII style M41, I believe. Some Marine shoved an officer's EGA through the bill, I've seen a few like this and I guess it was fairly common before they were stenciled with the EGA.

 

***COLLECTOR NOTE***

All collectors should note that the individual who initially started this post has been banned and his posts are now being reviewed for authenticity.

 

Our main interest at USMF is making sure collectors are aware and can learn about period pieces. And, having non-original pieces as guides does a disservice to all. The administration encourages members having detailed information regarding the item being a fake, reproduction, and/or put together to come forward and post it here or in other threads.

 

For more information regarding the user “DevilDan1900” and the cause for this review, please see below link:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=15227

[jeremiahcable]

This one is my desert MarPat that I wore during my tour in OIF. You can't see from the picture but the EGA is a greenish brown thread. I like the sewn EGA because of the simple fact that it doesn't fade away, and this one saw a lot of sun.

 

Jeremiah

 

[Bob Hudson]

Here's a rule breaker. A CAP, UTILITY, SATEEN, COTTON contract dated in 1956 when conventional wisdom says they were still making HBT covers.

 

I just picked up one of those without an EGA: it does appear to have an Army laundry mark tough (last initial and last four of serial number). It is stamped "CAP UTILITY COTTON OG 107" and dated "26 SEPT 1956." It appears to what may be a JULY 1956 pattern date. Was the Army using 8-point caps then???????

[Greg Robinson]

I just picked up one of those without an EGA: it does appear to have an Army laundry mark tough (last initial and last four of serial number). It is stamped "CAP UTILITY COTTON OG 107" and dated "26 SEPT 1956." It appears to what may be a JULY 1956 pattern date. Was the Army using 8-point caps then???????

 

I'm not familiar with Army use of those covers in the 1950's but what about the Navy? They used the Marine pattern utility covers without the EGA emblem.

[Bob Hudson]

I'm not familiar with Army use of those covers in the 1950's but what about the Navy? They used the Marine pattern utility covers without the EGA emblem.

 

This one has that Army laundry mark. I found the exact same cap on ljmilitaria.com and he says it's a "1 JULY 1952" pattern date and since I can read the "1 JULY" part on mine I would guess it is also 1952.

 

[Greg Robinson]

This one has that Army laundry mark. I found the exact same cap on ljmilitaria.com and he says it's a "1 JULY 1952" pattern date and since I can read the "1 JULY" part on mine I would guess it is also 1952.

 

It looks like the M1951 cotton field cap, the one with fold down ear flap. Army and Marines used those. It's sometimes called the Patrol cap.

[Bob Hudson]

It looks like the M1951 cotton field cap, the one with fold down ear flap. Army and Marines used those. It's sometimes called the Patrol cap.

 

I've got the M1951 (several in fact) and they don't have the "8 points" and these 1952 pattern caps don't have flaps, just a wide sweatband that is not sewn down.

[craig_pickrall]

The big difference between Army and USMC caps is the placement of the seams. The Army is on the center line of the cap and the USMC is off center to provide a location for the EGA.

 

Two late versions of the Army cap is shown in this set of pics. The 1962 cap is to the right side of the first pic. Also included is a ink stamped 1956 contract cap and a 1962 issue with a white label. These were mechanic caps and possibly some others wore them as well.

 

[Bob Hudson]

The big difference between Army and USMC caps is the placement of the seams. The Army is on the center line of the cap and the USMC is off center to provide a location for the EGA.

 

Two late versions of the Army cap is shown in this set of pics. The 1962 cap is to the right side of the first pic. Also included is a ink stamped 1956 contract cap and a 1962 issue with a white label. These were mechanic caps and possibly some others wore them as well.

 

 

The one I picked up has that exact same black stamped label. A photo on page 43 of Uniforms and Equipment of U.S. Army Infantry, Lrrps and Rangers in Vietnam 1965-1971 by Paul W. Miraldi shows an officer wearing what appears to be one of these with the distinct angled look from the 8 points: (the caption says "Note the different style hats")

 

[Sgt. Rob P.]

 

I think you have this cover mis identified. To me it appears to be the woodland camo ripstop fabric of the uniforms I started seeing in the PX's around 1987. I bought three complete sets in 1988, two I wore extensively in Thailand in 1988. One set is still new and unworn in my seachest.

 

Semper Fi, Rob

[craig_pickrall]

Rob, is there a label in the new cover you have? Can you post a pic or post the label data?

 

The cover I have was purchased at a surplus store in the late 1970's. There is no label in it. Most of the issue USMC covers at that time were double thickness material and had labels. This example is single thickness material.

[Sgt. Rob P.]

Rob, is there a label in the new cover you have? Can you post a pic or post the label data?

 

The cover I have was purchased at a surplus store in the late 1970's. There is no label in it. Most of the issue USMC covers at that time were double thickness material and had labels. This example is single thickness material.

 

Craig, I'll get a pic up today or tomorrow, but the labels in mine are green and say the following

CAP, UTILITY

CAMOUFLAGE

TYPE II, CLASS I

DLA100-88-C-0733

8405-01-246-4177

100% COTTON

M&B HEADWEAR CO.

 

I bought these uniforms in early 1988, although I am pretty certain they started showing up around Dec. of 1987. They are the ripstop fabric in woodland pattern. The colors when new are very rich. My covers are all double thick material. The fabric is much more lightweight then my boot camp issue from 1985. Which made them more comfortable for wear in hot weather and tropical climates. Hence the reason I bought them prior to going to Thailand for most of 1988.

The only reason I ask about your cover is it appears to be woodland camo and not the ERDL type. I don't recall seeing any ripstop woodland until the type I mention in 1987/88. Many of the older Marines when I was just a young'un had the ERDL's. And the color difference was very distinctive.

My guess is your cover may be a small private purchase batch? Or foriegn? I have a neat Thai Marine cover that I will post pics of if your interested. It is HBT camo material of a type the U.S. did not use. Has no tags though and does not appear that it ever did.

 

Semper Fi, Rob

[craig_pickrall]

My cap was made at a cap company in Richmond, VA. They were a gov't contractor but also sold seconds, over runs, and non-issue items to surplus stores. This cap is ERDL rip stop. It was made at a time that the OD sateen cover was the only issue cover for the Marines but the uniforms were ERDL camo. I know that all the surplus stores had these but I do not know if any were ever used by anyone in the Corps.

 

If the Thai cover looks like the USMC HBT cover please post it so we will be able to ID it in the future.

[Greg Robinson]

My cap was made at a cap company in Richmond, VA. They were a gov't contractor but also sold seconds, over runs, and non-issue items to surplus stores. This cap is ERDL rip stop. It was made at a time that the OD sateen cover was the only issue cover for the Marines but the uniforms were ERDL camo. I know that all the surplus stores had these but I do not know if any were ever used by anyone in the Corps.

 

If the Thai cover looks like the USMC HBT cover please post it so we will be able to ID it in the future.

 

I also bought one of those in the late '70's at an army surplus store. Best I can recall it once had a tag that had been cut off before I bought it. Last year I gave it to my grandson and no doubt by now it's lost. But he liked it at the time and I didn't see it as being anything special. Most likely a fantasy item made for the surplus market.

[usmc-collector]

Late 1970s GI issue, not commercial copy, RDF pattern utility hat, confirmed date of production 1979-1981, used only for short period prior adoption of woodland pattern utility hat

 

 

JAROSLAV

 

 

here 1983 dates photo of actual use by Marine General

 

[collector]

Here's a shot of my P1944 HBT cap.

 

DIAMOND CAP CO.

Contract NOm 45734,

date looks like

July 20(?), 1944

 

Army pattern HBT.

As far as I can tell, this is the first contract for this cap

[elvis3006]

Late 1970s GI issue, not commercial copy, RDF pattern utility hat, confirmed date of production 1979-1981, used only for short period prior adoption of woodland pattern utility hat

 

 

JAROSLAV

 

rdf.jpg

 

here 1983 dates photo of actual use by Marine General

 

rdf2.jpg

I remember owning one of these I bought in a surplus store around 1980 when I was 11 yrs old . Same pattern! Anyone know where you can get this very pattern utility cover ? Thank you.

[1SG_1st_Cav]

Great information!

[automatic]

Great thread!

[MattS]

Here's a current Marpat camo cover with the shore party red square on the front.

[theinsigne]

Great thread Thx!

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

This is my avatar, 2000 contract date.

This one has no markings other than the EGA.

[bobgee]

Nice to see this excellent reference work on the USMC utility or "dungaree" cap again. Semper Fi......Bobgee