Giancarlo was good enough to share that with me some time ago, but thanks to him for posting it here!

OK, so the enlisted cap with the piping is the 1936 version but did not remain regulation with the 1938 revisions that returned to a colored hat band.

On 7/2/2026 at 11:49 AM, rathbonemuseum.com said:

The second enlisted cap is what we see described in the 1938 regulations with a full band of branch of service indication on the body of the cap. 

Very nice Enlisted caps, I am wondering though did the cap worn with the m1938 have any differences from the m1936 other then the band replacing the piping? Also do you have any regs for the fields of service colors for the piping and bands.

IF we are not able to find an AR dated 1938 we can find answers in the original photos and their datation, as per AR of 1936 the visor with piping are datable between 1936 to 1937, than something changed, probably due to the new AR of 1938 that changed alot of things for the officers and the same happen for the EMs. As per many original photos i own I can ensure they returned to the large hat band with colors made of wool or with grossgrain material like in mid 30s.

In particular, regarding this fabulous hat of Tod, I suspect is a "variation" made by a tailor that clearly respect the 1938 AR, if it's changed as we suspect.

I own about 4 or 5 original photos of enlisted men wearing blue dress uniform in full set at tomb of unknown soldier: until 1939 they used the piping visor version and starting from 1940 they changed their visor hat band.

Same sergeant, same uniform but different visor after 3 years since 1937 to 1940

PS: I have attached another photo (not mine) of the same sergeant wearing the m1902 in 1936, just to shown that he start using the new 1936 pattern from the year of 1937 as described in AR of 1936.
GS

On 7/6/2026 at 2:54 PM, Jamecharles said:

I own about 4 or 5 original photos of enlisted men wearing blue dress uniform in full set at tomb of unknown soldier: until 1939 they used the piping visor version and starting from 1940 they changed their visor hat band.

Same sergeant, same uniform but different visor after 3 years since 1937 to 1940

PS: I have attached another photo (not mine) of the same sergeant wearing the m1902 in 1936, just to shown that he start using the new 1936 pattern from the year of 1937 as described in AR of 1936.
GS

Was there a specific piping/ band color for the tomb guards.

21 hours ago, Taylor said:

Was there a specific piping/ band color for the tomb guards.

No the blue dress used were the classic army blue dress, only after the war (1946) they introduced a specific blue dress for the tomb of the unknown soldier.

1 hour ago, Jamecharles said:

No the blue dress used were the classic army blue dress, only after the war (1946) they introduced a specific blue dress for the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Correct me if I’m wrong but did the army continue using the M1938 until the model 1953 replaced it. Also what was the difference between the M1938 and the tomb guards dress blues uniform in 1946.