WWII Crusher and Garrison Caps

[David Conwill]

Black visors are a post-WWII thing. In fact, you sometimes heard old timers talk about the "brown-shoe" Army or Air Force, meaning prior to the change to black-leather accoutrements. I'm not sure what year the exact change occurred, sometime in the mid- to late-1950s, I believe. Cold War stuff isn't as collectable yet, but it's still worth holding on to. As for the hat device, it can be removed and replaced, they're interchangable.

-Dave

 

[sherri bomb]

Thanks! I appreciate it. The seller said it came it came in a group of WW2 items, but he wasn't sure about the hat either.

 

[Hondo]

I just noticed the part of emblem is missing. The "circle" above the eagle. I'm guessing this decreases the value of the hat??

Not being an authority but regarding emblem circle around eagle did not appear on WWII era officers caps, I believe they came in or around 1950s, you’ll notice a smaller plain circle plate behind eagle on enlisted men’s caps, no real value unless you know it came from someone famous, just my two cents worth, could be wrong.

 

[sherri bomb]

Not being an authority but regarding emblem circle around eagle did not appear on WWII era officers caps, I believe they came in or around 1950s, you’ll notice a smaller plain circle plate behind eagle on enlisted men’s caps, no real value unless you know it came from someone famous, just my two cents worth, could be wrong.

Do you mean the eagle itself is in the circle or there is a "circle" above the eagle? Pardon my little knowledge of WW2 items lol I am researching for the bf. I just think it's unusual that I can't find this cap anywhere. I think someone must have replaced the original emblem. We received the cap today, it has an olive cap, black bill, black chin strap and brown leather pieces that hold the strap in place.

 

[Hondo]

I apologize I misunderstood, I was thinking “circle” or outline the whole eagle, but you were talking about circle of stars above the eagle, which looks like it broke off on your cap, The image shown is authentic officers emblem.

>> Broken Photo Link <<

 

[fishmeok]

Here are a couple I picked up at a thrift store. I was tempted to try wearing one around when I read a post someone posted asking if we thought it could be pulled off as a casual cap.

What do you think.



The first one looks a lot like my Dobbs- not all crush caps had single thickness visors. A few things that identify it as a "crusher" and not standard issue:
1) cover size- the crush cap has a smaller diameter than the standard officer's visor. It's more along the size of an enlisted mans' hat.
2) material- Both of those hats are made of OD wool elastique. Standard visor hats are made out of a wool/felt type material. There are several varieties of non "crusher" visor hats made from wool elastique though, and the second hat looks like one of these.
3) eagle orientation- note how the device on the first hat slants back and the second slants forward? That's a big clue. Crush caps generally fall back a bit on the head.

Best reference page here at the Acme Depot:

http://acmedepot.com/keepemflying/crusher.shtml

That's one great thrift store find, PM me if you want some tips on replacing the sweatband.
Cheers
Mark

 

[Old Fogey UK]

Crusher Caps

Not exactly crushers, I know, but I've recently picked up a "frame cap" on eBay but I can't find out anything about them in the uniform books.
The ones I've seen always seem to have an OD serge top with a mohair band, russet leather trim and an officer's eagle. Are they really officers' caps ? Who wore them and when ?
Incidentally, if you want a cheap crusher alternative why not get hold of one of these detachable cap tops (they go for very little on eBay) and stitch in a leather visor and sweat band ? I did this a while back but no longer have the cap so I can't post a pic of it. Not for the purists, but a mega-floppy cap that's good enough for a hanger dance.

 

[Hondo]

Sorry I seem to lost train of thought :eusa_doh:
Your cap does not appear to be a crusher, but looks like an military academy cap, link posted by another member, should give you info you need, best regards.

http://www.acmedepot.com/keepemflying/crusher.shtml

 

[sherri bomb]

Sorry I seem to lost train of thought :eusa_doh:
Your cap does not appear to be a crusher, but looks like an military academy cap, link posted by another member, should give you info you need, best regards.

http://www.acmedepot.com/keepemflying/crusher.shtml

Oh yea I am aware this is not a crusher cap, but was not told so until after I made the first post. So sorry if this is in the wrong thread. But thanks for the link!

 

[lc1484]

>> Broken Photo Link <<

My on duty service cap....many years of service on the beat, not in a cockpit

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I'm popin' this old thread because I've looked and looked but can't find where I read about a lounger that was making very authentic crushers for sale. Does anyone else remember this?

 

[Zemke Fan]

Diamond Dave...

He's on eBay from time to time. Also here:

Diamond Cap Co.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

That's it! Thank you very much sir!

 

[RudyN]

As to Diamond Dave, his caps are Great! I have one and am quite happy with it. As to the answer to the question I have both a Crusher from Diamond Dave and an Original Garrison Hat.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Show off your crushers

I'm curious to see them and am on the lookout for one.

I'm thinking of getting a repro and have a big original cap i don't want to squish... I'm more interested in the originals that were made to be crushed.

 

[John in Covina]

Are You Experienced?

Aren't there winter and summer versions of the AAF cap and also European and Pacific theater versions?

I was under the impression that you just popped the springy thing, that kept the top spread and up, out of the hat and it allows you to crush as needed for the rugged and experienced look.

 

[KilroyCD]

Here's the finest one in my collection. It's a beautiful Dobbs, purchased at Lewis & Thomas Saltz in Washington, DC. It feels like fur felt, it's so soft and supple. It was owned by Lt Col Frederick Marshall Roberts, who worked at the War Dept in Washington, DC.

Here's what I wear at living history events, but as I portray RAF, it's technically not a "crusher".

 

[Smithy]

That's it! Thank you very much sir!

Eastman have the Diamond crushers for 150 quid:

http://www.eastmanleather.com/Crushcapmont.htm

 

[John in Covina]

INFO

See this page:http://www.acmedepot.com/keepemflying/crusher.shtml


Some more: http://www.uswings.com/crushcap.asp
http://www.flyingtigerssurplus.com/c-7-p-501-id-7.html

 

[Spitfire]

Isn't it US Wings caps which has that special South American dictator look?
The Flying Tiger Surplus looks more or less like that too.