i cannot find any info on this unit, is it post war WW2?   a hard to find DUIi?

I think you have discovered the rare prototypes for the 1960s "Hippie Chick" hats.

Lark,   I haven't commented before but have been watching your posts with great interest.  You have posted some phenomenal side arms with amazing history and things I haven't seen in decades.   Well done, Sir!     Thank you for sharing!   OD  

Below is a Smith & Wesson New Model # 3 in 44 Russian, blue finish, 6" barrel, serial number 26197 that shipped on June 27, 1890 to the United States Government, National Armory, Springfield, MA for the Revenue Cutter Service.   The Revenue Cutter Service was the predecessor to the United States Coast Guard and served in a similar capacity from 1790 until the formation of the USGC in 1915.  The factory records show a few different shipments to various Captain's from the 1882 up until 1894.  Most were configured with a 6" but some were shipped with 6.5" and 5" barrels. These revolvers were in service for several years and were eventually phased out by the 1902 and 1905 S&W Military & Police revolvers in 38 Special.    

Here’s a 158th group in my collection.  This group belongs to Henry J. Delfeld, HQ Co and Co M 158th inf 40th Div. Delfeld began his service in the 1st Arizona infantry in 1917 and was shipped overseas with Co M 158th in August of 1918. He was promoted to Sergeant in October of 1918, and was then assigned to the 115th supply train and served in the QM corps until returning home in April of 1919.

I’ll aware this post is many years old at this point, hopefully it will still reach the original poster.   My name is Joe D Dudley II, I’m the namesake and eldest grandson of Joe D Dudley, USMC. My father, is Craig Dudley, Joes only son. I never met my grandfather, he passed before I was born and I have been trying to do research on his history during WWII. This post is amazing. I’m wondering how and where you got the info and if you’re still in possession of his pack. Any info would be amazing. Thank you in advance.    - Joe D Dudley II, New Jersey

I just spoke to Dr. Robert’s son on the phone. He is 81 and living in Scottsdale Arizona. He confirmed everything you shared about his dad being in the service and his time working in Fargo. One part of our conversation was quite odd though as he said he already has his dad‘s trunk. I just emailed him photos of this one, so I am quite curious to see how that plays out.   Regardless, I cannot thank you enough for your help. Without it, I certainly would not have found enough information to be confident making that phone call. 

I have family in Williston, so I’ve definitely drive through the area going out there! Nice little ND connection 🤝

At the end of the article I mention the M1883 Sun helmet. Technically it was made of cork, not pith, but most people would call it a pith helmet, yes. Here’s another photo   On the bottom is the official illustration from the 1886 uniform regulations and on top is the artist’s photo model recently rediscovered at the Smithsonian. I wrote a post about those illustrations here: https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/411790-the-rediscovered-1886-us-navy-officer-uniform-photographs-at-the-smithsonian/&do=findComment&comment=3163864 . Unfortunately, as far as I can tell,  none of them have survived unlike the Army, Marine, and certain militia models, especially the Excelsior Brigade, New York Note the external strap, just like the Navy version.