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Us Army Aaf Ww2 Pilot Bancroft Tan Tropical Worsted Wool 50 Mission Crush Cap
In four short years, the US Army Air Forces grew from a small air service to a mighty armada that swept the Luftwaffe from the skies, and was capable of projecting force on a global scale. AAF pilots of WW2 often flew with their headphones clamped down over their service caps, carefully cultivating the coveted "50 mission" crush look that distinguished the seasoned veterans from the green, untested rookies. The crusher conveyed the relaxed confidence that could only be gained in the crucible of air combat, and no crush cap was better made than the Bancroft version. This US Army AAF WW2 PILOT BANCROFT TAN TROPICAL WORSTED WOOL "50 MISSION" CRUSH CAP is in very good condition, with some scattered drying to the chinstrap, some scattered dark spot soiling around the top crown, some drying, scratching, and darkening at the underside of the visor, some sizable chips in the edge around that underside of the visor, most of the plastic "hair guard" crown liner having come unstitched, moderate "browning" to the crown lining, some light loose stitching at the middle back sweatband, and with some scattered age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the cap is in fine shape, with no other damage to the elegant, breathable tan tropical worsted wool construction.
Most interestingly, it's a "true crusher", with a factory made floppy crown and a "single ply" visor specially designed to be curled. The cap boasts the classic russet leather visor and chinstrap, sports the original screw back US Army officer's "spread eagle" brass hat device affixed "front and center", and features both of the original matching coat of arms embossed gilt side buttons.
It's approximately a Size 7, marked to the legendary "BANCROFT" under the clear plastic "hair guard" crown liner, and exhibits a brown leather sweatband. A fine example of a very rare, original US Army AAF WW2 PILOT BANCROFT TAN TROPICAL WORSTED WOOL "50 MISSION" CRUSH CAP. We have shown a photo of the legendary Clark Gable as a Lieutenant in the AAF during WW2 wearing a similar tan tropical crush cap.
GOVERNMENT at the left front. The item "US Army AAF WW2 PILOT BANCROFT TAN TROPICAL WORSTED WOOL 50 MISSION CRUSH CAP" is in sale since Saturday, May 2, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.