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The Cavalry Stetson Hat

Nearly every Cav trooper remembers the scene in "Apocalypse Now" when Robert Duvall prepared for his assault in his Stetson. 
The fearless American badass.  Cav, Hooah.

                      

 

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CavHooah Mini Cav Hat Ornaments and Magnets!



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Package includes one Official Stetson U.S. Cavalry Hat (#52679)
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In 1865, with $100 in his pocket, John B. Stetson rented a small room, bought the tools he needed and $10 worth of fur; and the John B. Stetson Hat Company was born. more

The most distinctive uniform item worn by air cavalrymen in Vietnam was the Cav hat. This tradition is believed to have been originated in early 1964 by LTC John B. Stockton (Commander of 3/17 Cavalry) at Fort Benning , Georgia . The hat was adopted in an effort to increase esprit de corps in the new air cavalry squadron and was meant to emulate the look of the 1876 pattern campaign hat worn by cavalry troopers long ago. Once units deployed to Vietnam , the custom slowly spread to other air cavalry units, and by the cessation of hostilities, virtually all air cav (and some ground cav) units had adopted the Cav hat.

The Cav Hat was a private purchase item that cost a wallet-stretching $29 in 1972. It was most often supplied by the Stetson Hat Company. Because Stetson supplied most of the hats, the name "Stetson" became interchangeable with Cav hat. Several Asian suppliers provided "knock off" copies, but the quality of workmanship was greatly inferior to that of the Stetson.

 

While unit commanders did not mandate the wearing of the hats, there was considerable peer pressure to conform, and most troopers quickly added the Cav hat to their wardrobes. Just as World War 11 paratroopers were fond of their jump suits, wearing them long after issue had ceased, so too did the Cav hat instill fierce pride and loyalty in the units where it was worn. Most air cavalry veterans interviewed by the author proudly cherish their Cav hats today.

Because the hats were delivered from the manufacturer in the U.S. there was an understandably long turnaround time between ordering and delivery. In some units, members were killed in action or MEDEVACed to the United States before the arrival of their hats. Thus, current unit members sometimes accepted hats meant for departed comrades.

Stetsons were constructed of a high grade fur felt with an interior leather sweatband and a silk hat ribbon around the base of the crown. The manufacturer provided a black leather chin strap, which also held the hat cord in place. The type of hat cord worn varied according to rank, as follows: general officers, all gold braid; officers, gold and black intertwined braid; warrant officers, silver and black intertwined braid; enlisted men, yellow wool or nylon.

The cord was a copy of the acorn-ended 1899 pattern, worn on the 1885 pattern campaign hat. Members of B-2/17 Cav further garnished their Cav hats with the addition of a beaded "Indian" hat band and feather, D-3/5 Cav appears to be the only unit that wore gray Cav hats. When D-3/5 Cav exchanged designations with C-3/17 Cav in 1971, C-3/17 carried on the Light Horse tradition of gray Cav hats.

On the Cav hat, most officers and warrant officers wore some combination of officer rank insignia and crossed cavalry sabers. There were instances in which several troops of different squadrons wore the distinctive red and white background trimming-commonly referred to as a jump wing oval-on the front of the cav hat. This oval was authorized for 1/17 Cav, a non-air cavalry squadron of the 82nd Airborne Division, located at Fort Bragg , North Carolina .

The Cav hat was remarkably durable and was easily cleaned of dirt and lint by buffing with a shoe brush. In several units, a "wetting down" ceremony was conducted, during which the newbies were accepted as members of the troop. Before they could wear their hats, however, they were required to "chug-a-lug" a hatful of cold beer. There are several instances in which air cavalrymen, after being shot down, raced back into their burning aircraft to save their precious Cav hats.

©Winged Sabers

 

stetsonparade.gif (196451 bytes)    BulletHole.jpg (87657 bytes)    Photos courtesy of 2-17 Cavalry and VHPA

The tradition of "Breaking in a Stetson" has many various forms - most consist of pouring some form (or forms) of alcohol in it and having the new wearer drink from it. This is actually an old tradition which began when riders, upon reaching a steep river bank, would dismount and fill their hats with water for their horses to drink!

The history of the STETSON itself from the Stetson website!

 

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CIVIL WAR ERA OFFICER'S SLOUCH HAT This black felt officer's style hat appears to be either a post war GAR hat, or a late Civil War period campaign hat. It seems to be associated either with the 4th New York Cavalry or the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, both of which served with Sheridan's Cavalry Corps in 1864. This was discovered due to the faint sunburst pattern outline which has been faded from exposure to sunlight into the left side of the crown. Also, the numerous small pin holes evident at the spot reflects the former attachment of a 1" x 1-1/2" eight pointed star corps badge of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps, 1863-1864. Although the corps badge is now missing, the outline and pin holes remain. Together with the sewn gold numeral "4" affixed in the gold embroidered crossed saber cavalry oval patch sewn on the front of the hat, this suggests either a 4th N.Y. or 4th Pa. Cavalry association. These units were the only regiments numbered "4" that were a part of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps during the war. The hat shows a slightly forward sloping crown, with a 2-7/8" wide stitched brim. A black silk ribbon, 5/8" wide, extends around the base of the crown, culminating with a pressed bow. Stamped on the inside of the 1-5/8" wide leather sweat band is "SHIELDS/ American Made/ Guaranteed by the Maker." There is no interior cloth lining, and the hat is decorated with a double strand gold bullion hat chord with gold acorn tassels. The oval 3-1/8" crossed saber with "4" cavalry insignia patch is sewn to the front crown. This hat measures about 13-1/2" long, 12-1/8" wide, with a height of about 5." 

U.S. Officers Slouch Hat, 19th Century Men's Hat
US Officers Slouch Hat, Cavalry Trim
U.S. Officers Slouch Hat, 19th Century Men's Hat
CS Officers Slouch Hat, Untrimmed
    The U.S. Officer's Slouch Hat was authorized for all officers by regulation. This same hat was used by Confederate officers in both Black and Grey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Many units have specific requirements regarding the wear of the Stetson.  Some are memorandums and some are created as an addition to the Army Regulation 670-1 - Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.  Here is an example:

(Spurs also!)

    1. Stetson: The Stetson will be black in color. Only rank and regimental or ordinary cavalry brass will adorn the Stetson. The braid will be worn around the base of the Stetson. Troopers will wear the appropriate braid color. Braid ends or acorns will be to the front of the Stetson and no more than an acorn length over the brim.

    a. Field Grade Officer: Solid Gold
    b. Company Grade Officer: Gold and Black
    c. Warrant Officer:

        (1) CW4,CW5 - Solid Silver

        (2) WO1,CW2,CW3 - Silver and Black

     

    d. Non-Commissioned Officer: Yellow

        (1) The nape strap will be threaded through the appropriate eyelets in the brim of the
             Stetson so that strap goes around the back and the buckle is fastened and centered on 
             the wearers head.

        (2) The sides of the crown shall not be pushed in or otherwise modified. The brim will 
              be flat with a slight droop at the front.

        (3)The Stetson will be worn on the head with the brim parallel to the ground.

        (4) Occasions for wearing the Stetson: Squadron dining-ins/outs, formal events in dress
              blues, gatherings of spur holders, professional gatherings such as AAAA and any
              other event or function as designated by Squadron/Battalion CDR.

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HAT CORDS

The Stetsons worn by many Cavalry soldiers all include a colored band just above the brim referred to as a cord, braid, or acorn.

    "Legend has it" that the acorns at the end of the cords were designed to bounce off the brim of the hat to keep riders awake.

    "Legend also says" that knots are tied in the cords in the front of the hat to denote combat tours. The knots are referred to as "Combat Knots."

    I claim all this to be legend because there is nothing in writing about it. It is all Cavalry Stetson tradition. Some of this dates back to the first world war. Read on...

    Dan,

    I saw your post concerning combat knots on a couple of different forums and thought I'd offer you what little info I know.

    I'm one of those dreaded non-19D Stetson wearers. I served in the 1st Cavalry Division as an 11M for a number of years, including Desert Storm.

    Although we were Infantry, our Commissioned Officers often wore unit-specific Cavalry brass (or sew on) on their collars, and our unit guidons were red and white Cavalry guidons rather than blue Infantry guidons.

    Researching Cavalry Stetsons a little less than a year ago and using “combat knots” as a search term, I found an online auction selling what was described as a WWI peaked campaign hat. It was brownish in color and resembled a modern day Drill Sergeant's hat. The auctioneer claimed it had been worn overseas by the auctioneer's ancestor, and had been recently found in an attic. By way of establishing the authenticity of the hat, the auctioneer specifically mentioned the knots and said that the ancestor had explained when the auctioneer was a child that the knots signified combat service.

    The hat itself was out of shape and looked moth-eaten, but I saw the knots that had been tied in the cord very clearly. Each cord end had been tied into a half hitch by running them under and back up behind both cords, then back forward and through the loop it had created. The half hitches were snugged together toward the little sleeve that retains the cords in the front.

    As I was only looking for an example of how to tie the same knots into mine, I didn't bother to save a copy of the images. It didn't occur to me that I'd ever need or want to provide any verification on the subject.

    Unfortunately, I'm unable to find those pictures again and I haven't found any others like them.

    Hope this helps you. First Team!”

    Submitted from the site visitor above.

     Thanks for the email!

    The 1st Cav Division authorizes knots in their hat cords also, but they do not call them Combat Knots. Here is a link to their MOI:

    http://www.1cda.org/cav_hat_moi.htm

    Renton Western Wear's
    Cavalry Stetson shown with
    "combat knots"

 

     

     
    Table Courtesy of Dr. Howard G. Lanham - http://www.angelfire.com/md2/patches/other/abranchcolors.html
    BRANCH PRIMARY COLOR SECONDARY COLOR COLOR EST. CORD FROM CAP
    Adjutant General's Corps Dark Blue Scarlet 1936
    Air Corps Ultramarine Golden Orange 1920
    Armored Center & Units Green White 1942
    Cavalry Yellow 1855
    Chaplains Black no enlisted men
    Chemical Warfare Cobalt Blue Golden Yellow 1918
    Coast Artillery Scarlet 1902
    Corps of Engineers Scarlet White 1902
    Detached Enlisted Men Green
    Field Artillery Scarlet 1851
    Finance Dept. Silver Gray Golden Yellow 1921
    Infantry Light Blue 1851
    Inspector General's Dept. Dark Blue Light Blue 1936
    Judge Advocate General's Dept. Dark Blue White 1936
    Medical Dept. Maroon White 1916
    Military Intelligence Golden Yellow Purple 1936 no enlisted men
    Military Police Yellow Green 1922
    National Guard Bureau Dark Blue 1921
    Ordnance Dept. Crimson Yellow 1921
    Permanent Professors USMA Scarlet Silver Gray 1936 no enlisted men
    Quartermaster Corps Buff 1902
    Signal Corps Orange White 1902
    Specialists' Reserve Brown Golden Yellow 1936 no enlisted men
    Tank Destroyer Golden Orange Black 1943
    Transportation Corps Brick Red Golden Yellow 1942
    Warrant Officers Brown 1936 no enlisted men (1)
    Women's Army Corps Old Gold Moss Green 1942

    ParadeStore.com -  This place sells every cord color you might want except for maybe plaid and clear!

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

        3 4 cav hooters stetsons.jpg (154547 bytes)    bengals stetsons.jpg (980570 bytes)    750Air_Cavalry_Leeann_01-med.jpg (70433 bytes) Leann Tweeden in Baghdad

wpe19.jpg (225567 bytes)Kooooooorea!

These Stetson photos courtesy of Jay Brown, an HHT 3-17 Cav trooper in Vietnam
       

 

KiowaPilots breaking in the Stetson-

"When they grabbed the Stetson, the wife immediately jumped up and followed them around to make sure that there wasn't TOO much crap dumped into it...

I can specifically remember... Tequila, Rum, Beer, Soda, Vodka, Gin and Tonic, Salad, Sour Cream, Cigar butts, and I think there was even a dinner roll or two...Anyway...

I think there were 6 or 7 of us... we all had to drink that shit out of our Stetsons... it was leaking through the felt and was the nastiest shit I've ever tasted...But it was broken in correctly!!"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Here is a link to a great Cavalry forum page with a ton of photos of Cav headgear!

www.militaryhorse.org - the link will take you directly to the photos.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stetson Sources

The Stetson is now also available at Amazon.com. Official Stetson® US Cavalry Hat preferred by Cav Troopers. Crown is 4 1/4 inches,
Brim is 3 inches. Comes with chin strap. Regimental cross sabers also sold separately. See the Cavalry section within the hat department for complete selection of Cavalry products. Stetson Cavalry hat is Beaver Blend Fur Felt.

 

 

Stetson Cavalry Hat

The Stetson Cavalry Hat is also available at US Cavalry.com

Represent the Cavalry in this Stetson! Fashioned from premium wool felt, this Cavalry Stetson is molded with a creased top and reshaped crown.

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  $159.99

 

 

Hat Cords with Acorns

Hat Cords with Acorns

Decorate your Stetson with these studs! Show your stature and rank with one of our colored acorn-studded hat cords.

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  $7.99  I am still looking for more sources for silver, gold, and other colors!

  • 3rd Cavalry Online Shop - Stetson and Spur packages
     
  • Renton Western Wear has been in business since 1950.  They stock the Stetson Cavalry Hat and ship it to Troopers all over the world.  Their home page is:  www.rentonww.com. Cavalry products are located in the Cavalry Sub-Department within the Hat Department at: http://www.rentonww.com/Cavalry--c244-p7,244.html?
     
  •   Flags of the World
     

  • Military Clothing Sales at Fort Knox, KY and also Ft Hood, TX sells them last I heard. 
    Around $120.  http://www.knox.army.mil    http://www.hood.army.mil

     
  • www.stetson.com - You can't beat the source! Also:
  • The Stetson Factory Outlet sells the "cavalry" model for I believe $110 complete. This is the same one Miller hats sells marked up to $165 or so. Although, Miller has a large selection of "cavalry" hats here http://www.millerhats.com/cavalry_index/cavalry.html
  • They (Stetson) also sell factory seconds. Most you can't even tell where the reject is. A little crease here, etc. They'll tell you what's wrong with it. And the way they are broken in just adds to the character of the Stetson. The factory seconds were reported to be selling for $80.00. Also, they do not have a web site. You have to contact them the old fashioned way...by phone.
    Here's their info:
    Stetson Hat Factory Outlet
    3601 South Leonard Road   St. Joseph, MO    (816)-233-3286
  • Sabels - A western wear and uniform store in Hopkinsville, KY is the best place in the Fort Campbell area to pick up a Stetson. The owner has been shaping them since the store started selling them decades ago.  He will size your hat, fit it, shape it, and even tell you the history of it if you ask him. He is a master of his craft and will reshape your hat if you really botch it up! His hats also come with leather strap and cord (yellow, silver, or gold). Sorry, no website, but this is where i got MY Stetson!
    HE SHIPS WORLDWIDE TO INCLUDE IRAQ!

601 S Virginia St  Hopkinsville, KY   (270) 885-5049

 

 

 

Now adorn your Stetson with pins!

Crossed Sabers for your Stetson, custom pins, coins, patches, & more

 Patriotic Items, Pins, Patches, and More from MilitaryClothing.com

More Army Pins

        Combat Cavalry   

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Some old fashioned Hat etiquette tips from Stetson
_______________________________________________

("Etiquette," Emily Post, Funk & Wagnall's Company, 1922 and 1927)

Some of these tips are a bit outdated, but there is great history here for the "formal" Stetson wearer. 
Here are some guidelines from the mistress of etiquette, Emily Post.

WHEN A GENTLEMAN
TAKES OFF HIS HAT

A gentleman takes off his Hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator in which he is a passenger, but he puts it back on again in the corridor. A public corridor is like the street, but an elevator is suggestive of a room, and a gentleman does not keep his Hat on in the presence of ladies in a house.

This is the rule in elevators in hotels, clubs and apartments. In office buildings and stores the elevator is considered as public a place as the corridor. What is more, the elevators in such business structures are usually so crowded that the only room for a man's Hat is on his head.

When a gentleman stops to speak to a lady of his acquaintance in the street, he takes his Hat off with his left hand, leaving his right free to shake hands, or he takes it off with his right and transfers it to his left. If he has a stick, he puts his stick in his left hand, and gives her his right. If they walk ahead together, he puts his Hat on; but while he is standing in the street talking to her, he should remain Hatless. There is no rudeness greater than for him to stand talking to a lady with his Hat on, and a cigar or cigarette in his mouth.

WHEN A GENTLEMAN LIFTS HIS HAT

Lifting the Hat is a conventional gesture of politeness shown to strangers only, not to be confused with bowing, which is a gesture used to acquaintances and friends. In lifting his Hat, a gentleman merely lifts it slightly off his forehead and replaces it; he does not smile or bow, nor does he even look at the object of his courtesy. No gentleman ever subjects a lady to his scrutiny or his apparent observation.

If a lady drops her glove, a gentleman should pick it up, hurry ahead of her — on no account nudge her — offer the glove to her and say: “I think you dropped this!.” The lady replies: “Thank you.” The gentleman should then lift his Hat and turn away.

If he passes a lady in a narrow space, so that he blocks her way or in any manner obtrudes upon her, he lifts his Hat as he passes.

If he is on a street car which is very crowded, when he wishes to leave it and a lady is directly in his way, he asks: “May I get through, please?” As she makes room for him to pass, he lifts his Hat and says: “Thank you!”

If he is in the company of a lady anywhere in public, he lifts his Hat to a man who offers her a seat, or who picks up something she has dropped or shows her any other civility.

He lifts his Hat if he asks a woman or an old gentleman a question, and always, if, when walking on the street with either a lady or another man, his companion bows to another person.

In other words, a gentleman lifts his Hat whenever he says “Excuse me, Thank you,” or speaks to or is spoken to by a lady, or by an older gentleman. And no gentleman ever keeps a pipe, cigar or cigarette in his mouth when he lifts his Hat, takes it off, or bows.

THE INFORMAL BOW

In bowing on the street, a gentleman should never takes his Hat off with a flourish, nor should he sweep it down to his knee; nor is it graceful to bow by pulling the Hat over the face as though examining the lining. The correct bow, when wearing a high Hat, or derby, is to lift it by holding the brim directly in front, take it off merely high enough to escape the head easily, bring it a few inches forward, the back somewhat up, the front down, and put in on again. To a very old lady or gentleman, to show adequate respect, a sweeping bow is sometimes made by a somewhat exaggerated circular motion downward to perhaps the level of the waist, so that the Hat's position is upside down. If a man is wearing a soft Hat he takes it by the crown instead of the brim, lifts it slightly off his head and puts in on again.

AT THE OPERA, THE THEATER AND OTHER PUBLIC GATHERINGS

In walking about in the foyer of the opera house, a gentleman leaves his coat in the box — or in his orchestra chair — but he always wears his high Hat. The “collapsible” Hat is for use in the seats rather than in the boxes, but it can be worn perfectly well by a guest in the latter if he hasn’t a “silk” one.

__________________________________________

The broad-brimmed hat [worn here by George Custer] was very popular with troops in the western theater.
_____________________________________________________________________________

  These are some different types of cavalry hats offered by Stetson and Miller Hats.

 

 

Stetson Hats & the John B. Stetson Company; 1865-1970

Stetson Hats & the John B. Stetson Company;
1865-1970

This book provides a sweeping survey of the hats produced by the company whose name is synonymous with cowboys and the Wild West. Surprisingly, though, the John B. Stetson Company was based in Philadelphia and produced all manner of headwear. Over 500 illustrations display never-before-worn Stetson hats (men's and women's alike), hat boxes, miniature boxes, and a surprisingly large number of collectible items associated with this most famous hat company. Original research charts the development of of the company, and individuals closely related with the firm provide their memories. Hat styles from the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth get a review, and for those lucky enough to own one of these valuable collectibles, there are tips on how to wear and care for vintage and modern Stetsons. Values for the hats illustrated, an extensive bibliography, and an index are included.

About the Author
Jeffrey B. Snyder has enjoyed western hats since childhood. He is a writer and editor living in Downingtown, Pennsylvania with his wife Sherry and their two children, Michael and Madeline.

 

Shop online at uscav.com!  
The U.S. Cavalry Store in Clarksville, TN outside Fort Campbell now sells Stetsons for $149.00.

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