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    Australian slouch hats


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    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]

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    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]

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    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 by chippo
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    • 4 weeks later...

    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 pics

    The 2/14th infantry hat

    IPB Image

    A 1945 dated hat

    IPB Image

    A 1944 dated hat

    IPB Image

    - Chris

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    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... :P

    Beautiful slouchies...don't ever stop showing them and keep on collecting because they have found a great home.

    Mark

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    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... :P

    Beautiful slouchies...don't ever stop showing them and keep on collecting because they have found a great home.

    Mark

    lol I wish I had the market cornered :P

    I will share the hats as I get them so stay tuned!

    - Chris

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