Interesting Army "Sherlock Holmes" Cap

[Eric Doody]

Yes, that is right! You read the title of this thread correctly...an interesting Army "Sherlock Holmes" cap.

The following six (6) photos of a Japanese Army "Sherlock Holmes" cap that is in the John Egger collection. (I will let John fill everyone in on the particulars.)

I would like to thank John for bringing this cap to the Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society Show two weeks for photographing and for sharing the photos of his cap with us on the forum.

[Eric Doody]

Photo 2 of 6...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 3 of 6...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 4 of 6...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 5 of 6...

[Eric Doody]

Photo 6 of 6...

Note the two kanji to the right of the rectangular procurement depot stamping which can translate to koura which means "shell (of a turtle or crab)" and kata which means "model, style, type, pattern, etc." when read from top to bottom.

[John Egger]

Sherlock Holmes ??????

The cap has been in my collection for about 5 years. It was purchased from Warren Sessler when he broke up his collection and I was lucky to get it along with several great pieces. Warren had the cap for over 20 years. The cap was late war experimental to be worn as a combat cap and also under the helmet (as many soldiers did). The design eliminated the need for havelots as the rear bill protected the neck. I have seen several pictures of soldiers wearing regular combat caps backwards in this same fashion. Perhaps this was the inspiration for this design.If we really look at the cap and it's construction.....it's not two hats sewn together as it may appear but an all new design. With size ties on both sides, one size could come close to fitting all. Another interesting feature are the buttons with stars.....ornate for late war. The materials are high quality also for that period of the war. It's one of the most interesting caps in my collection and that I have ever come across. I hope each of you find it as interesting as I do.
Eric.....thanks for the pictures and thanks for the job that you do for all of us in monitoring the Forum. We get the fun and you do the work. What could be better. I'm sure I speak for many when I say we are grateful.
JTE

[GHP]

...to be worn ... under the helmet (as many soldiers did).

That was my reading of "Ko-katachi" -- armored form.

When I was in a Ground Self-Defense Force post exchange in 1993 I noticed white caps with tiny soft brims -- similar to British "public" school caps of earlier years (predecessors of the baseball cap?). I thought they looked silly and were probably physical training caps, but PT caps have long stiff brims like a baseball cap.

My sponsor explained the small-brimmed caps were to be worn under the helmet.

Cheers,
Guy

[Banzi64]

maybe thats why we never seen the Japanese retreating the cap looks the same from the front and back lol