WW2 US NAVY "BLUE" SERVICE HAT with stencil
BRAND US Navy.
DESCRIPTION
Issued only in white, I don't really know at what stage and why this has been dyed in blue (indigo?).
Back in time, I even found out from which ship the stencil LVR23 was from... but unfortunately now I can't find it anymore :(
For more than 130 years, the primary headgear for Sailors in the United States Navy has been the white service hat, dubbed a “Dixie cup” because of its more-than-passing resemblance to the drinking cup. Also called “squid lid,” “Cracker Jack hat,” or just plain “cover”, it serves as protection against the scorching sunlight at sea.
Introduced in more or less its current form in 1886, the white hat was designed to replace straw hats worn during warm-weather months and was crafted out of canvas. (A black, flat hat was still worn during winter.) The new piece of headgear had several advantages over its straw forebear: it was comfortable, inexpensive to produce, and easy to clean and store.
As part of a uniform makeover in the 1970s, the Navy announced it was phasing out the Dixie cup in favor a combination cover in 1973, only to discover that both Sailors and the general public had developed quite a fondness for the iconic hat and were quite vocal in their advocacy for its return to the sea bag. In 2016, the Navy again altered uniform regulations regarding the white service hat, but this time it aimed to expand its wear by mandating as the uniform headgear for female E1-E6 sailors.
A real cool hat even more when you wear it as Al Pacino in Serpico!
FABRIC 100% cotton.
YEAR WW2 era, 40s.
CONDITION Great vintage condition - especially if you consider that this hat has probably seen some action during the WW2!
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE 22 inches. These hats always tend to be a bit small, but they are actually very easy to stretch. Just soak it in water and then wear it until it's dry. It will take the size of your head.
International shipping costs are set at a fixed rate for each item.
If you have been significantly overcharged for shipping, I will happily refund the difference.
If you would prefer to receive an accurate shipping quote, please feel free to ask and I will organise one based on your exact location.
NOTES
- I try to describe each single item at the best of my knowledge, but of course mistakes can always happen.
- Please bear in mind that vintage items might have holes and stains.
- Feel free to ask me questions or extra pictures.
- Items are NOT returnable.