Overactive imagination for sure.  What you are looking at is a “bowl” to smoke Marijuana, spotted it immediately. 

Just so you guys know that these exist and are reproductions, these are some that I have made. Not that anyone should be caught out with them, the fronts are close ish, but the backs are a dead giveaway and only the clueless would every think for a second that they are genuine.

Oh, that's nice!  First one I have seen a pic of and missing in my collection.

Gorgeous example, I’m hoping once the archives update the morning reports past 1944 the unit can be found. My guy enlisted in 1948.

@Timberwolf great Ike! I’d be curious what unit Information you can turn up.    Here is one from my collection, however I assume this design was used by more than just this one battalion.  

A nice looking pattern 1902 enlisted cap for the blue uniform. Light blue trim and cap badge for an infantryman of Company E 23rd Infantry.

Dear Folks Please just your thoughts with this hat,original period one,year aprox,any red flags?   Thanks in advance   Fernando    

Hi Andreas   Merrow edge patches were made in Afghanistan and all over SW Asia.   Below are from Camp Bastion Barber shop 2014 brought back,Rats Arse KAF 2014,Talibanned cigar club 2009 all brought back by veterans.   They are certainly not the norm but do exist.   cheers   Phill  

Hi Team   2nd Armored Division "woolie" with merrow edge.   cheers   Phill

I thought vacuum cleaning would take long but, if you mean like using a leaf vacuum to blow air on it so the charcoal flies away, I don't really own one of those nor have a proper place to do it outside. But I assume you mean a normal vacuum cleaner lol. But most of the charcoal is already gone actually, it's just a bit left in the arms and the pants so that could still work ig.    The one I bought was also told to me to be cleaned before hand like I said, so yeah there is a way to clean it safely ig. I just am scared to put it in the machine as it may damage it somehow Maybe I am wrong but I wouldn't risk it.