IDENTIFICATION NEEDED, CAP

[darktide]

Hi guys! I need help identifying a US issue cap that I was able to pick up at a ukay-ukay shop.

Reason why I'm placing it in this thread is because I've seen pics of WW2 soldiers using this style of cap, so I'm wondering if it could possibly be from that era. I think that this style of cap was issued together with the M-1943 Field Jacket. Of course, I could be wrong. The cap is in excellent, very wearable condition.

The cap is OD and has two small eyelets on either side. Inside there is a fold-out thing that covers the ears. It has a short brim.
There are two (2) white tags inside, a small one that is easily seen when you look inside the cap. The other, larger tag is under the fold-out thing that covers the ears.

The small tag reads; CAP, FIELD, COTTON, O.D., WITH VISOR (these words are underlined). Under that it states "Adjust liner headband to fit under cap before helmet is needed."

The markings on the larger tag are pretty faded and hard to see and/ or read.

[labrador]

Sounds to me like a ranger field cap. I think it was in use from the 50's to the early 80's when the rangers went back to tropical green plain fatigues. Not too sure though.

[kalbs]

Please post a pic daktide,

Sounds like the CAP/ FIELD/ COTTON OD WTH VISOR Late war manufacture, introduced Feb 71945, which became the M1951 Field Cap without the eyelets

is this it?

[darktide]

Jan 24, 2010 16:38:37 GMT 8 kalbs said:

Please post a pic daktide,

Sounds like the CAP/ FIELD/ COTTON OD WTH VISOR Late war manufacture, introduced Feb 71945, which became the M1951 Field Cap without the eyelets

is this it?

Kalbs, I believe you are correct again! I just did some research on the web and found that it is indeed a late WWII M-1943. I thought at first at it might be an M-1951 (used in the Korean War and early Vietnam War) but the one that I have is different. The M-1951 has a longer visor with several rows of stiching on it. Additionaly, the M-1951 doesn't have tags. Size and contract information is printed directly on the inside fabric of the cap.

On the M-1943 that I have, the visor is short and it certainly doesn't have several rows of stitching. The large contract tag is pretty much faded, so all I can make out is the size, 7 1/4.

What I find so strange is that I got this at a ukay-ukay (second-hand clothing shop) and it is excellent condition considering how old it is. It is certainly very wearable. It cost all of of Php 50.00! I didn't think that they would have stuff like this in shops like that!

I was planning to use it with my Type 1 OD early Vietnam 2-pocket fatigues #107, but the cap is too old...

In the pics I didn't fold the ear panels down anymore...

[kalbs]

Nice fine darktide. Always amazes me what is still out there for cheap with some historical value

[darktide]

Jan 24, 2010 17:26:15 GMT 8 kalbs said:

Nice fine darktide. Always amazes me what is still out there for cheap with some historical value

Now I'm wondering if I should just keep it or use it... It doesn't seem to be in any danger of falling apart.