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Campaign Hat
- Thread starter jimmyj
- Start date
charlie sherrill
SWCA Member
I just hung one up. It has a star on the front.
safearm
US Veteran
That's true, too. I earned mine and wore them at my retirement.
Here's my Marine officer's field hat, made by the John B Stetson Co.
The enlisted version (DI version) has a leather head band, with the buckle centered in the front. The officer's version has the scarlet and gold hat cord.
The enlisted version (DI version) has a leather head band, with the buckle centered in the front. The officer's version has the scarlet and gold hat cord.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
You need a hat board for that puppy!
I sure do! I had one, but it disappeared during the last move.
george minze
Member
In the 50's in boot Camp....When you saw that cover you automaticaly puckered up. and for darn good reason....
ChuckS1
US Veteran
As a 1st Cav vet, I can attest it takes its Indian War history waaay too seriously. Between the Horse Platoon, the Stetsons, spurs, and the Robert Duvall Apocalypse Now image, I always felt I was in a bad John Ford movie. That was 81-84, though.
semperfi71
US Veteran
You can create a "hat board" by taking two square pieces of cardboard and cutting a hole in one to match the crown diameter.
Cover both "insides" of the cardboard squares with wax paper, cellophane, or aluminum foil.
Steam the hat brim very well off the stove with the "War Departments" tea kettle. Do this when she's out shopping so she doesn't know/object to what you are doing with her kettle...and the noise.
When still wet from steaming, place the "Cover" (as us Marines call it) inside the two pieces of cardboard with the inner covering of material to keep the cardboard from adhering to the wet hat. Clamp it shut with bricks, tape, big paper clips, etc., anything that will hold it TIGHT in place.
Take the hat to a "hide-away" so that the War Department doesn't ask, "What is that?" And then follows up with, "How did you do that?' Because then she will say, "YOU DID WHAT WITH MY TEA-KETTLE...ON MY STOVE!!"
The next day go to the hide-away and remove your hat. It will be stiff enough to once again get in the face of a "boot" and whack his forehead with the brim!
You could probably do this ONCE with the War Department as a joke!
Here's a picture of a simple, homemade hat press.
Mule Packer,
The one I had was made like that except it was glued together, not laced.
The one I had was made like that except it was glued together, not laced.
Why the different designs
In many photos of troops wearing the single crease hat-the top appears to be pinched together-almost making a ridge. Also, a lot of the Montana peaks are differing heights. Particularly during the Spanish American War and Phillipine Insurection they had to equip thousands-and do it fast. So, hat sizes weren't exactly custom considerations. Same with the Montana Peaked hats-hence those punched in parts of the hat cold be deeper or made a bit more shallow.
Both hats aren't the best thing for the tropics-Pith helmets were issued when money was available.
In many photos of troops wearing the single crease hat-the top appears to be pinched together-almost making a ridge. Also, a lot of the Montana peaks are differing heights. Particularly during the Spanish American War and Phillipine Insurection they had to equip thousands-and do it fast. So, hat sizes weren't exactly custom considerations. Same with the Montana Peaked hats-hence those punched in parts of the hat cold be deeper or made a bit more shallow.
Both hats aren't the best thing for the tropics-Pith helmets were issued when money was available.
In 1972 some wise acre took or hid our DI's campaign hat. It was a very rough week until the cover mysteriously reappeared. The thief was never apprehended but the entire platoon suffered the penalty.
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JeffF64
US Veteran
If you spray a little starch or seizing on while damp from steam, it will hold up longer on those hot/humid days also, but after doing that would not recommend whacking "War Department" in forehead as it could break skin. (No Sir that's not a mark from that campaign hat on the privates forehead, he must have run into something getting to the latrine, I told them privates to walk when mopping latrine floor, as to not slip and hit their head)
klondike
Member
Just another photo - On the firing line at Ft. Casey Washington
