chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Posted August 26, 2006 I noticed there aren't any posts containing slouch hats on this forum so I thought I would remedy that I have been collecting WW2 Aussie slouch hats since 2003.First up is a 1945 dated 9th division HQ slouch hat. [attachmentid=51486]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1942 dated Australian Electrical and mechanical engineers (AEME) slouch hat. A bit moth eaten but it was my first WW2 slouch hat so it's a special one [attachmentid=51487]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1945 dated Aussie Signal corps slouch hat.[attachmentid=51488]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1942 dated Anti-aircraft unit slouch hat. This hat is a part of a uniform set to Lt. G.A Ruddock.[attachmentid=51489]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1942 dated 2/4th pioneer battalion slouch hat. Named (and a part of a uniform set) to K.F Wilson.[attachmentid=51490]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1944 dated AEME slouch hat. Part of a uniform set to H.E Mills[attachmentid=51491]
Tony Posted August 26, 2006 Posted August 26, 2006 Chris,What are they like on the inside and are there differences between the Aussie and Brit slouch hats?Tony
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1944 dated 2/27th infantry battalion slouch hat.[attachmentid=51492]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1945 dated Australian Ordnance corps slouch hat.[attachmentid=51493]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 (edited) A 1942 dated AEME hat (other than in the field units) slouch hat. Named to W.T Bainbridge.[attachmentid=51496] Edited August 26, 2006 by chippo
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1943 dated 2/9th infantry battalion slouch hat. Named to Cpl. C.S Baxter[attachmentid=51497]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1941 dated Australian Engineers slouch hat. [attachmentid=51498]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1939 dated Tasmania L of C (Lines of communication) slouch hat[attachmentid=51499]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 A 1942 dated RAE slouch hat. Named to J.R Matters[attachmentid=51500]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 An undated (it's missing its leather liner) 2/7th infanty battalion slouch hat. Dates from around 1942-1945[attachmentid=51501]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 An undated (again its missing its liner) 2/14th infantry battalion slouch hat. Dates from 1939-1941 judging by its features. The colours are meant to be yellow over blue however they have faded.[attachmentid=51502]
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 last but certainly not least: A 1944 dated 2/43rd infantry battalion slouch hat. [attachmentid=51503]- Chris
chippo Posted August 26, 2006 Author Posted August 26, 2006 (edited) Hi Tony... the difference between Australian and British hats is that after 1942 Australian slouch hats used a Government manufacturing codes in their hats. For example my 1939 dated hat is made by Dunkerly Akubra however the practice of using the manufacturers name ceased during the years 1942-1945. This was due to security reasons.The first letter in the code indicated in which state the hat was made in. For example "V553" means the factory that made the hat was situated in the state of Victoria and made by the manufacturer designated number 553 by the Government. It's all confusing really!Another thing is that sometimes the manufacturers stamped D/|D on the other side of the leather liner. But strangely enough this wasn't uniform. I have several hats made by maker N.121 (a relatively common maker)... one is 1942 dated and doesn't have the D/|D stamp yet I have a 1944 dated hat made by the same maker (N.121) and it does have the D/|D stamp.I tried to upload some pics of the liners etc however it appears I have reached my picture storage limit The inside basically looks the same as a British hat however the Aussie hats have a maker, usually the words "fur felt," the size and the date stamped on the liner. Aussie hats have an oxidised (darkened) rising sun badge on the left hand side of the hat. I have never actually held a British hat in my hands so I cannot say what other differences there are.- Chris Edited August 26, 2006 by chippo
Tony Posted August 27, 2006 Posted August 27, 2006 Thanks Chris,I've never actually had any slouch hat in my hands.
chippo Posted August 30, 2006 Author Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks Chris,I've never actually had any slouch hat in my hands.no worries, Tony. I first held a WW2 slouch hat in my hands 3 years ago and haven't stopped since!- Chris
Peter_Suciu Posted September 28, 2006 Posted September 28, 2006 Chris--Once again, a very nice collection!
Chris Boonzaier Posted September 28, 2006 Posted September 28, 2006 I agree... A superb collecting field... could we see them from the other side where the Aussie badge is?(Personally I would invest in a new head... that unshaved one looks a little like a gay version of Don Johnson ;-)
chippo Posted October 4, 2006 Author Posted October 4, 2006 thanks for the replies, guys. I have thought about investing in another mannequin head but any money I spend on a mannequin head is less money for militaria. I got this one for AU$5 and I reckon it does the job.I have reached my global attachment limit so I am having to use imageshack.us for these picsThe 2/14th infantry hatA 1945 dated hatA 1944 dated hat- Chris
Mark Gibson Posted October 9, 2006 Posted October 9, 2006 WoW Chris,everytime I see your collection it just makes me want to start collecting slouch hats again. Unfortunately you've probably dried up the market... Beautiful slouchies...don't ever stop showing them and keep on collecting because they have found a great home.Mark
chippo Posted October 10, 2006 Author Posted October 10, 2006 WoW Chris,everytime I see your collection it just makes me want to start collecting slouch hats again. Unfortunately you've probably dried up the market... Beautiful slouchies...don't ever stop showing them and keep on collecting because they have found a great home.Marklol I wish I had the market cornered I will share the hats as I get them so stay tuned!- Chris
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