One last photo of the brim profile which is a bit more bulky than it should be, but I’m glad it’s fairly visible.

alright all, the brim has now finally been put mostly in to shape as I still have to cut off some excess fabric on the inside brim. But otherwise the outside is down. I may end up stenciling my name around the bad bad ear to help “cover it up” if that’s even possible. The liner definitely has its faults, but I don’t think it looks absolutely terrible. Now the outside is basically finished. Now onto the inside!

Johnny how do you conclude this is WW2?  I can't find any reference prior to 1949 as mentioned above.   Thanks Bearmon

Thanks again.  Later, I'll post some photographs...  I have all her uniforms, preserved in a garment bag, with the original insignia.  Below are two images of one set of her wings. MWM Printout-Billie JoAnn Kelly.pdf

I’ll join the club and give you congratulations on an incredibly lifelike piece of art!  mikie

Collector restoration, or someone simply sold the original stock off considering the value these days.   I retroverted quite a few back in the day. You don't get any marks removing the bayonet band at all. The only risk is scarring up the front sight as these are on DAMNED tight usually! I destroyed more than a couple brass drifts trying. 

As I am doing my research, it looks like those are Flannery Bolt Co. barrel markings. It seems like they were a WW2 manufacturer.

I never saw that. The properties and colors of the two fabrics were noticeably different, especially after several washings. The OG507s didn't get starched.

Awesome! That would be Dulite-type Parkerizing?

Thanks very much.