Not sure this look will catch on in the British Army

[macwilkin]

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