cold weather hats

[deanglen]

Wolfman,
That Filson hat is a dead ringer for a type of winter hat the US ARMY phased out in 1943 because it looked too much like the German M43 wool fieldcap.

I had an original 1940 vintage US Army winter cap but gave it to my father to wear in the winter. I wish I still had it.

dean

 

[deanglen]

This is vintage and it's on it's way to me from a buy it now from the 'bay. Nothing like plush Muskrat Fur:

dean

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Wolfman,
That Filson hat is a dead ringer for a type of winter hat the US ARMY phased out in 1943 because it looked too much like the German M43 wool fieldcap.

I had an original 1940 vintage US Army winter cap but gave it to my father to wear in the winter. I wish I still had it.

dean

That is interesting, Dean. I didn’t know this was once a U.S. Army issue hat. Who had it first, the U.S. Army or the Germans? Is this a case of German engineering being appropriated by an American manufacturer?

Do you know any more about the history of this hat? It is peculiar that such a seemingly functional design hasn't been used more widely.

Did you wear the hat while you owned it? How did it work for you?

 

[deanglen]

That is interesting, Dean. I didn’t know this was once a U.S. Army issue hat. Who had it first, the U.S. Army or the Germans? Is this a case of German engineering being appropriated by an American manufacturer?

Do you know any more about the history of this hat? It is peculiar that such a seemingly functional design hasn't been used more widely.

Did you wear the hat while you owned it? How did it work for you?

The hat in the photo below is known as the the M1907, the ancestor of the later version I pictured in the previous post. By the way, that picture is for a hat presently available on....well, anyway,

This is a reproduction which I own and wear. Very warm, and actually superior to the later version. The later version turned up in the 1930s and originally was found issued to Civillian Conservation Corps workers. Can't say that the German M43 hat had any connection to the American hat because the M43 was a modification of the Gebirgsjaeger Cap worn by Alpine Wehrmacht troops. I think similarity of design could have been accidental. The 1930's version is not that great for ear protection, in spite of what it looks like it was designed for. The best way to benefit from it is to pull the side flaps down to cover the ears, but the front view once you've done that makes it look like you have ears like Dopey because the material extends outward a ways due to the folds. Even when you pull it all the way down and try to secure it under your chin with the buckle, it leaves such a gap around your face and neck that cold air gets in. Other than that, it is a warm hat. The German M43 has the same problem, and you see very few photos of any soldiers wearing them with the flaps down hoodlike. The M1907, once you've undone the tie string, extends down like a hood and turns any coat with a decent collar, once you turn it up and secure the base of the hat with the tie over and around the collar, into a parka. It has enough material to cover and secure the face and neck to do a great job of keeping out the cold. I love it for the kind of cold we've had lately. You can purchase a reproduction like I own from AEF supply, http://www.aefsupply.com/uniforms.htmwhich is where I got the photo above. A great vintage winter hat with great practicality.

dean

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Thank you for the very thorough and erudite answer, Dean. We have such a treasure trove of expertise in the Fedora Lounge!

Thank you, as well, for the tip on AEF Supply. What great stuff they make! I’m tempted to join up with a WWI reenactment group, just to have an occasion to wear their repros.

 

[deanglen]

Thank you for the very thorough and erudite answer, Dean. We have such a treasure trove of expertise in the Fedora Lounge!

Thank you, as well, for the tip on AEF Supply. What great stuff they make! I’m tempted to join up with a WWI reenactment group, just to have an occasion to wear their repros.

Looking forward to you getting an M1907. Thank you for your kind response, Jack. Keep warm!

dean