Steve-

It's all "Greek" to me! The guy I bought it from refers to it as Engineers cap, but you are probably correct. This guy seems to have robbed Rommel's Quaretermaster, 'cause he sure has some nice Tropical WWII items!

Jim

No---it's Italian not Greek.

The Italians had so much a variety of badges and rank insignia, especially when you consider the Fascists and then the organizations on both sides of the conflict that were formed after Italy surrendered.

Nice hat. The bustina is one hat that I don't have and would certainly like to get. I have the Italian overseas cap that was imported into Spain as part of their support of Civil War. It is difficult to determine if it is Spanish or Italian. This is similiar to the bustina in that it has the flap over the top. This one is khaki green and has red trim and a dangling red tassle.

Steve

Now, here is an Engineer's hat.

Royal Engineer visor cap of British Army

Badge: Royal Engineers as noted on the bottom banner.

Leather strap & brass RE buttons.

Visor is cloth over a stiff bill.

This is the soft visor cap that was worn while off-duty and when not wearing the steel helmet. These visor caps were worn by officers and NCO's. It was common to see enlisted wear these in WW1 but I'm not sure about WW2. Usually, the enlisted men wore the folding cap they refer to as "side cap".

The only damage to this is that the plastic liner has melted into the fabric of the top, which helps it keep its shape but discolored the top.

I began collecting British regimental cap badges a long time ago. Then I picked up the pace over the last few years. Now my collection of British, Indian, & Canadian cap badges has topped 100 count.

This is a photo of one of 2 cases that I displayed at my city's library.

British Cap Badges & Hats at local library.

Top: Coldstream Guards- Modern(Black/White), Royal Engineers- WW2 (Khaki)

Bottom: Honourable Artillery Company- 1950's(Black/Red) and WW2 Side Cap

Edited: The khaki hat was referred to as "Dress Hat No. 2". Dress Hat No 1 was the colored hat worn for formal dress or parade occasions. The Coldstream Guards hat and the H.A.C. hat are both Dress hat No. 1. Just as each British regiment had its unique regimental cap badge, also each regiment had its unique dress uniform. They varied in style, colors and buttons. One regiment may wear royal blue and yellow and another black and red. That is why collecting British hats is a fun hobby.

Also, the Coldstream Guards hat may look like it is pulled down over his eyes. It was. The front of the hat was flat--you can lay a ruler vertically from the peak to the brass-trimmed bill and the hat would be flat against the ruler. The bill rested on the nose of the wearer. The Coldstream Guards was one of the 5 foot guards of the Royal Palaces.

Steve

Steve I think it's just fantastic that you have some of your collection on display at your local library. Wow, I am finding out more cool things about ya all the time. It's great that you are making a real difference in your community. Outstanding!

Well, Marion, I got tired of the boring displays that they usually had out: for example a rock display. I thought they might like to learn a little HISTORY. Most of the times, I've displayed about 20 British regimental cap badges. That sounds like a boring subject, but I tried to display the badges to look appealing. It is almost like a coin collection: you can study the symbols and phrases and origin of each one.

One April a few years ago, I made a display about Italy in April 1945---the last days of the war. I displayed a variety of items, maps and patches, including a photo and bio of Lt. Bob Dole.

Sorry for the size of the Royal Engineer cap photo. I was going to reduce it but I thought you would like to see the details of the badge and the hat.

Steve

No need to apologize for the size of the photo. It's not like it's 2000 X 2000!

When you place photos like that on the forum, you WANT to see the detail. Heck if you can't, then why have it there at all. No, it's just fine and dandy.

Keep up the great work. Your contributions are really worthwhile.

This is the uniform of Mitchell Antolich, my wife Karen's fatherIt has been min a cedar chest for 60 years and is in perfect condition except a few wrinkles."Mike" was the other engineer in the faqmily and searvedvin the Pacific.We're not sure how he ended up in the 27th Inf, had a air corp patchand an engineer badge.

This uniform also has the cross stiching on the patches

Also...Can anyone identify the DI on the cap?

Chris

Cedar chests are the best for preservation. :pdt34:A freind of mine has some beautiful Victorian pieces preserved in a cedar chest.

Brooke

Can anyone identify the DI on the cap?

Chris, Can you get a close-up photo? If you have a scanner, you can try scanning it.

You mentioned the 27th Infantry. That regiment was part of the 25th "Lightning" Infantry Division. The patch on the jacket is the 8th Army---I'm not sure where they served at the moment.

The DI for the 27 Infantry Regiment was a black sqaure with a head of a Wolf in the center and inscribed "NEC ASPERA TERRENT". Their DI was unique in that the LH and RH were mirror images---i.e., the wolves faced toward the center of the jacket.

Hope that helped.

Steve

Steve-

Here is the Di. Those were some pretty bad pictures on that post

I'll post the patches next.

Chris

Ok.... now here is the patches, the collar also has an engineer button.

That DI looks nice but I'm stumped. It must be an Engineer unit by the looks of it.

The Red&White patch is the 8th Army.

The Blue patch with Wings is the Far East Air Forces, which was in command of the 5th and 13th Air Forces in the Pacific Theater.

The round one is the 27th "New York" Infantry Division. Previously, I was referring to the 27th Infantry Regiment.

Steve

I received this cap from an old friend who belonged to this unit. I know it's not from WW II, but you don't see this patch around any more. I believe they were disbanded, or it was incorperated else where.

This Tank Destroyer badge has always been a favorite of mine....

If anyone has any requests on certain collectables. I got to several military flea markets in Belgium every year.

You wouldnt believe the amount of stuff that we left behind after WWII. Its all for sale at these markets.

I have bought many items for me re-enactment gear. You could almost rebuild an entire jeep with all the parts left over here. Also the US sold most of their war vehicles to the Belgian goverment after the war and they used most of them into the 1980s.

I for one will probably buy a Jeep before I leave Germany!!!!! My mouth waters every time I go to a show or re-enactment and I see a beautifully restored Jeep..

I am going to a market this Sunday.

Kyle