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US Navy watch cap advice

Gio80

Active Member
I am looking for WWII US Navy replica stencilled watch cap. I saw BR has.

Does ELC stecil on their watch caps?
If I'd go with BR, I might have the chance to customize the stencil?

Gio
 

Jorgeenriqueaguilera

Well-Known Member
Hi @Gio80

Unfortunately, I don’t think they offer customization option. BR offers stenciled ones on their page but only from a couple preset options. Perhaps the best option for you is getting a plain one and customize yourself. Another good option is Papa Nui Cap, perhaps they can do a customization..

http://instagr.am/p/CCz1l1ADyYc/
I have this BR stenciled, works good but it would be cool if you could customize it! :cool:
5EB72C6A-EA00-4E92-9E95-C46F4450F851.jpeg
 

Gio80

Active Member
Thanks Jorge,
I will try to customize it. I'd like to make the USS ENTERPRISE CV-6 watch cap.
What did the sailors usually print on it? Their sevice number only or the name of the ship too?

About plain cap, I already have one, is a US Navy current issued cap. For me, the modern watch caps have not the same nice trim like the WWII era ones, isn't it? :)

Between ELC end BR, what's the choice?

image1.jpeg

image2.jpeg
 

Grant

Well-Known Member
I know I'm a nerd, but the pointy crown and side seam of the Buzz watch cap always bugged me. For comparison, below is a Buzz and a couple of originals. BTW, most sailors wore them folded over so the name/rate tag was on the inside (last pic). I don't own one, but would be curious to see what the MASH watch cap looks like.

BUZZ
CAPB.jpg


ORIGINAL 1
CAPO1.jpg


ORIGINAL 2
CAPO2.jpg
CAPO3.jpg
 

Jorgeenriqueaguilera

Well-Known Member
The BR is the only one I have owned, so I couldn’t tell which one is better, I admit that BRs’ are a bit pointy. Perhaps someone here owns a ELC to compare. Also both are on the same price range...

I have only seen originals with name and service numbers, but I’m sure there must be tons of variations.
 
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ausreenactor

Well-Known Member
Only have an ELC A-4 cap. It is light but details and label are good.... Some might prefer a synthetic offering for durability, if details aren't paramount.
 

Gio80

Active Member
I know I'm a nerd, but the pointy crown and side seam of the Buzz watch cap always bugged me. For comparison, below is a Buzz and a couple of originals. BTW, most sailors wore them folded over so the name/rate tag was on the inside (last pic). I don't own one, but would be curious to see what the MASH watch cap looks like.

Grant, the MASH watch cap looks great, very close to the ORIGINAL 2 pic which you posted.

About your originals caps, the first one looks short then the second one. Did the watch caps have different lengths?
From pics, ELC and BZ look short too, compared to the MASH one.
 

Gio80

Active Member
I never saw this web site, I found it out around on web, anyone knows it? They make it in different colors too...

 
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MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
I had a Pike Brothers watch cap, annoyingly ‘sticky-up’ pointy crown, and also extremely tight on my admittedly fairly large bonce, which no amount of stretching would alleviate. I eventually ended up with a Buzz Rickson William Gibson A-4, which looks pretty much the same as a watch cap, and I like it a lot more.
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
I own a stencilled BR and a olive and blue one made by BRONSON like Cocker - even though price wise a huge different but quality ain‘t that far from each other

Go for a Bronson!

Never seen originals stencilled and I can imagine it is hard to do on wool. BR use a kinda „rubber-like“ paint ...

Leave it plain - it is simply more period correct
 

Greg Gale

Well-Known Member
I have a Bronson and a current issue I bought from fleebay. I prefer the latter. The Bronson is "hard folded" not sure how to say this. So if you want to change where it folds back, you can't because the original fold will remain there. Whereas with the current cap you can fold it to your heart's content.
 

Gio80

Active Member
Never seen originals stencilled and I can imagine it is hard to do on wool. BR use a kinda „rubber-like“ paint ...

Leave it plain - it is simply more period correct
Usually screen printing's water colors are rubber-like and thick on cotton fabbrics, I can imagine on wool.
Yes, I'll probably leave it plain, I agree, it looks more period correct :)

I have a Bronson and a current issue I bought from fleebay. I prefer the latter. The Bronson is "hard folded" not sure how to say this. So if you want to change where it folds back, you can't because the original fold will remain there. Whereas with the current cap you can fold it to your heart's content.

I had two current issued, the first (which I lost) was thin and on the lable was written MADE IN USA. The second one (in the above pics) it's really thick, I am not sure how to say, but as it was folded twice on itself, (like two layers) and on lable is printed the contract number.
Both are 100% wool and I like them. They just looks a bit short then WWII era. Are they? I can't flap it twice.

Do the watch caps usually have differents lengths? The secondo original cap of Grant (pic above), looks longer then the first one...may be it's just the photos effect. :)
 

Grant

Well-Known Member
Yes, they do come in different lengths, although the longer one posted is rather unusual. I'm sure numerous knitting mills supplied them during the war.
 
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