Original Item: Only One Available. This visor cap, in summer Khaki issue color, is an excellent example, with the iconic "crush" shape. It was made a few years after the end of WWII, and is dated 28 JULY 1949 on the Quartermaster label on the inside. The construction is nearly identical to the WWII issue.

Shortly after WWII in 1947, the rapidly expanding U.S. Army Air Forces were separated into another branch of the U.S. Military, the U.S. Air Force. All personnel at the time were still wearing their U.S. Army colored uniforms, and this continued for years afterwards, especially with officers and other personnel who already had much in the way of OD Green and Khaki Uniforms. This cap may have been issued to the U.S. Army, or the U.S. Air Force, and the owner could have seen service during the Korean war.

The leather sweatband is supple and complete, with all the stitching still intact, something we don't see often. It shows little sign of use or age, and the chin strap is equally in great shape. The peak / visor is leather, and has a great finish. This peaked cap features a gold tone WWII Army Overseas insignia over the leather visor. 

In very good condition, costing much less than the WWII original, this cap is ready to display or wear!

The U.S. Army Air Forces "Crusher Cap"

This is the classic "bomber pilot" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army/AAF officer dress cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike, but pilots gave this cap their own unique twist. Normally, this cap had stiffeners -- a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape. These kept the cap in its proper, regulation military shape and angle. However, since bomber pilots wore headsets over their caps during flights, they would remove the wire stiffener to make headset wear more comfortable, causing the sides of the caps to become crushed. Eventually, the caps retained their floppy "crushed" look, giving the pilot who wore it the look of a seasoned veteran.

The crush cap identified its wearer as an experienced pro, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crush cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers.