Not sure this look will catch on in the British Army

**Nervous Jock** · 12th July 08, 12:42 PM

**The Wizard of BC** · 12th July 08, 01:04 PM

I still have my Cav Hat and wear it on occasion.

But some things must have changed since I wore it on duty.

**CelticRanger66** · 12th July 08, 02:03 PM

I still have and wear my Stetson and spurs!!

**Jock Scot** · 12th July 08, 02:33 PM

Well I have seen the Australian "slouch" hat and the Kiwi version worn with a British(commonwealth) army uniform and they looked just fine.I used to wear,as we all did, an Aussie hat with the side down on the ranges at Bisley.Of course we must not forget the Gurkhas with their form of "slouch" hat.

Raptor · 12th July 08, 03:29 PM

There's something about the Aussie "slouch" hat that looks sharp as all get out, when it's worn properly. Cant get my head around the cav hat though...

**CelticRanger66** · 12th July 08, 05:12 PM

Well Last time I was in the CAV! we gave them to our UK counterparts as a sign of goodwill.

**Jock Scot** · 13th July 08, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by CelticRanger66

Well Last time I was in the CAV! we gave them to our UK counterparts as a sign of goodwill.

Well I suppose those wide brims will stop the rain getting in when they are swanning around the countryside in their tanks(not talking about kilts here!) with the hatches open!Sorry all, I am only jealous, I had to march!

**macwilkin** · 14th July 08, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well I suppose those wide brims will stop the rain getting in when they are swanning around the countryside in their tanks(not talking about kilts here!) with the hatches open!Sorry all, I am only jealous, I had to march!

The "cav hats" as pictured are largely a ceremonial thing these days, worn by Cavalry units who trace their lineage back to the old horse cavalry; I had a friend in university who served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment who had his "cav hat" hanging on his apartment wall.

Ironically, the "cav hat" itself is really more of a modern-style hat; the US Army only wore one black slouch hat during the Indian campaigns, the exception being private purchase civilian slouch hats and straw boater affairs:

http://www.andersonmilitaria.com/Web...r/headgear.htm

The M1872 campaign hat had hook-and-eyes on the brim to allow the brim to be folded up, a la a "fore-and-aft" hat.

After several experimental models, In 1889, the US Army adopted another campaign hat, the M1889:

http://www.eureka-arsenal.com/IMAGES/chat2h.jpg

This was the hat worn during the Spanish-American and Philippine Wars; during the later conflict, soldiers began to adopt the famous "Montana Peak" and thus created the ancestor of the "DI/Smokey Bear" hat worn today.

Regards,

Todd

**Pleater** · 14th July 08, 09:57 AM

Thanks for the information - the major will be a Peregrinous (?) of the Order, then.

From his expression - to answer the question - no, I don't think that the hat will catch on. I am sure he will treasure it always, he just can't wait to take it off.

The US still dresses its soldiers better than the UK.

Baroness Anne the mirthful of Fritterton on the Heath

**macwilkin** · 14th July 08, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

The US still dresses its soldiers better than the UK.

Baroness Anne the mirthful of Fritterton on the Heath

Can't agree with that one, neither would a friend of mine who is a former paratrooper serving with the Missouri National Guard. He constantly lamented how the Brits and Commonwealth forces retained regimental customs and traditions better than the Yanks.

T.