Aussie slouch hats

[Lone Pine]

hey Steve, thanks for the compliment regading my slouch hats. Bruce's (Lone Pine) hat is a beauty as well, hey!

I find the most prolific maker is N.121, that is a maker from the state of NSW. You will seldom find a collection without an example by N.121

I have six made by N.121

- Chris

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the number after the letter on any ww2 Aussie clothing item represented a batch number, not a maker?. The lower the number the earlier in that year the item was made. Example: V 9, Victorian made 9th order, N 121 New South Wales made 121st order for that year.
Bruce

[chippler]

I reckon it's a maker. I have a two slouch hats made by N.96 dated 1942 and another one dated 1943. I also have seen an N.121 maker dated 1942 and another 1944. Another two examples of V.553 in my collection are dated 1942 and 1944 respectively. I seem to recall in it states in Grebert's book that the makers changed to Government designated codes in 1942 for security reasons.

- Chris

[Lone Pine]

I reckon it's a maker. I have a two slouch hats made by N.96 dated 1942 and another one dated 1943. I also have seen an N.121 maker dated 1942 and another 1944. Another two examples of V.553 in my collection are dated 1942 and 1944 respectively. I seem to recall in it states in Grebert's book that the makers changed to Government designated codes in 1942 for security reasons.

- Chris

I've never seen that book, but that sounds quite reasonable. You learn something new every day.
Bruce

[bratwurstdimsum]

Hi all, my first time here since posting that "commando" hat earlier on Wednesday. Chippler you have a fine collection, I just have one query, and it stems mostly from ignorance. I thought the WW2 hats did not have the stiched "brim protector" material like the modern ones do, can you clarify?

[chippler]

yes I can clarify. Prior to 1942 the slouch hat manufacturers took their time making hats... they made sure they were of the highest quality, which included gimped edges (bound edges) and the hook and eyelet. However in 1942 Australia felt like it was up the proverbial creek. Singapore fell in February 1942 and they didn't have time to screw around making good quality hats. Both time and material constraints dictated that the hats became of lesser quality and hence they introduced hats without brim binding and instead of the hook and eyelet catch to hold up the brim; they used a press stud.

However, there is a bit of an exception to the rule and that is in 1942 some hats still had the brim binding and the press stud. These are known as "transitional hats"... that is, they kept the good quality brim binding but lost the good quality hook and eyelet to hold up the brim. Post 1942 hats (ie. 1943, 1944, 1945) always lacked the brim binding. The two hats pictured above are transitional hats and I am betting the other hat that isn't mine is 1942 dated. Every transitional hat I have seen (bar one) has been 1942 dated...

I hope that sort of makes sense. If you are confused PM me and I will explain and show you pictures of what I mean.

- Chris

[Mark Gibson]

The press stud was introduced in 1941 so hats from this year will either have the hook/eyelet or the press stud.

Mark

[chippler]

thanks for the clarification, Mark. I tend to find there are no hard and fast rules wih slouch hats... every 1942 dated hat I have owned has not had brim binding and has featured the press stud. I have only had two 1941 hats through my hands... one has a press stud; the other had a hook and eyelet. I had a 1944 dated hat with a hook and eyelet. This is why I love collecting hats; the variations!

- Chris

[Old Smelly]

Aussie Slouch issued to Brit

Here's one I picked up, an Aussie made slouch issued to a Brit in the Royal Engineers. This one has a press stud instead of a hook and no re-inforcing around the brim. Sadly the liner has been taken out but there is a stamp inside the pagree, 'N319/45, D/l\D, Made in Australia'. I was pleased to find it, it has a locally made flash on the side with brass RE badge.
Lee

[Old Smelly]

Stamp

[chippler]

nice one, Lee!

Here are two I have recently added the collection...

A 1942 dated 40th militia battalion slouch hat. Unfortunately not named by still a cracker of a hat.

- Chris

[chippler]

A 1939 dated 2/12th field hospital slouch hat associated with QX22486 Major John Dunkley. He had a fairly long military career, enlisting in the militia in 1932, then to the 2/14th light horse regiment in 1935, enlisted in the 2AIF in 1939 with the service number QX6061, discharged 1939, re-enlisted again in 1941 (QX22486,) served on a hospital ship and for some reason did duty in Colombo (Sri Lanka,) worked in a camp hospital and then discharged in 1943.

- Chris

[BPA-Paul]

Gday Chris,

Well done on your new finds, an extra couple of gems in your all ready "Tip Top" collection.

Also, that mountain does look cold !!

[Lone Pine]

Nice couple of hats Chris, in particular the 39 dated one. Very hard to get them that old. The first one I think you'll find is 40th Batt AIF not militia.
Regards Bruce

[chippler]

thanks for the comment, Bruce.

Here's the latest addition to the collection. A 1942 dated 2/32nd infantry battalion slouch hat associated with SX19050 Private John Brewster-Jones. He participated in operations against the Japanese from early September 1943 at Red Beach and the advance on Lae, Busu, Burep, Finschafen, Scarlet Beach, Katika and Pabu.

- Chris

[Kiwi Ric]

Hey ya mate, that last slouch you posted is a stunner!

Hell you must need a room by itself by now just for your slouch hats :P wd mate