Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fine example of a Pre-WWII M1911 Enlisted man’s Campaign Hat with a faded scarlet Artillery Hat Cord dating from the 1930’s. It is offered in excellent condition with signs of honest period wear and age, and includes the original unbroken chinstrap. The soldier marked the inside with an early form of a WWII GI “Laundry Number” with his initials and the last four digits of his serial number. The hat cord and chinstrap are, as we would call, “rested”, showing evidence that they have been in place on this hat for a VERY long time. The internal sweatband has lost some stitching in places, but does not detract from the appearance of the hat.

The Hat, Service, M1911 (Campaign Hat) was made of OD wool felt with a wide brim and "Montana peak" crown. There were ventilation holes in the crown with grommets, a silk hatband, and a silk and brass braid cord closed by a knot and terminated with a tassel. Inside was a leather sweatband and an attached chin strap. The Army model was dark brown OD in color.

The hat cords worn around the base of the crown indicated the branch for enlisted men and rank for officers. The system was similar to the piping colors for the Garrison Cap, copied from the Campaign Hat. Unit and rank insignia were sometimes worn on the front of the hat when authorized.