US Winter Field Cap 1944

[Cobblers161]

A friend of mine picked this up in the late 1970's, it looks similar to an M-1951 except for the alpaca trim on the peak and the apparent date of 1944.

Can anybody shed any light on this? I’m curious as to the origins.

https://ibb.co/kNkZQc
https://ibb.co/k5wKrH
https://ibb.co/dOFvWH
https://ibb.co/cNk7dx

 

[Cobblers161]

Due to Luddite tendencies I'm unable to work out how to link directly as the URL isn't being accepted (it used to be so simple….).

 

[falcon_ib]

According to Olive-Drab.com http://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_clothing_m1951_hat_pile.php

"Three versions of this cap were used in Korea. The first design was the Cap, Field, Pile, OD, a replacement for fur and knit caps that was designed in 1943 and introduced late in World War II. It was still in inventory for the Korean War. However, the World War II pattern cap was found to be impractical and was redesigned by removing the pile from the visor where it interfered with the wearer’s vision and was uncomfortable.
"The Model Quartermaster-1 (called 'Cap, Field, Pile, OD, M-Q 1' on the label and sometimes called the M1950), adopted in January 1948, was an interim design change from the 1943 pattern that eliminated the pile on the visor. The improved cap was eventually standardized in January 1951 as the third style, the 'Cap, Field, Pile, M-1951.' The M1951 Pile Cap was widely issued, along with remaining stocks of the World War II pattern or the M-Q 1, to both U.S and allied forces serving in Korea. It proved to be a very successful design and was extremely popular for the cold Korean weather. It was one of the few items of good winter clothing that was widely available during the first harsh Korean winter of 1950-51."

So looks like that's one of the late-WW2 production caps. Nice find!

Evan

 

[Cobblers161]

Cheers Evan many thanks for the info, that website looks like a mine of information.

 

[ausreenactor]

Still issued to Aussies up until we were in Korea..