WWII Chinese Wool M43 Cap

[RobertE]

Hello,

I got a wool cap from a US Navy corpsman's estate. It has a greenish brown wool body, pull down flaps like a German M43, and two brass brass wash buttons in the front. There is a white and blue crudely enameled star emblem in the front.

Where can I find out more about this cap? Are they collectible at all?

regards, Robert

[RobertE]

pics1

[RobertE]

This cap is CHEAPLY made compared to a German one. The back of the buttons and enameled national emblem looks like sheet metal or worse, and the wire hooks to hold the emblems on are flimsy.

[RobertE]

unmarked, as far as I can see.

[STEBALIN]

This thread should be relocated to the International section.

[RobertE]

Sounds fine. Moderator, could you please move the cap to the international section?

In the meantime, does anyone want to take a stab at what this is?

regards, Robert

[Bill D.]

Well, you know that it is a Nationalist Chinese field cap.
The question would be: "From what period?".

I am certain that if it can be said to be from the WW II period then it would indeed be considered very collectible. That makes it a part of the CBI theater of operations memorabilia.

[RobertE]

Thank Bill. Did these come in officer and enlisted versions? And how would one go about dating them?

It came back with a WWII Navy sailor (Corpsman).

regards, Robert

[Bill D.]

Robert....
It is my understanding that only officers wore this style of cap.
Here is a photo of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his deputy chief-of-staff General Pei Hsung-hsi (left), reviewing high-ranking Nationalist officers in Chungking in 1944. Your cap is clearly the style being worn.

My own question would be as to the buttons, since the ones on your cap may reflect a branch of service other than the army. To me, the design almost looks like a winged gear. Air Force, perhaps?

[Bill D.]

On second look, I suppose that the button design is that of a winged sun.

[RobertE]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, and for the illuminating photo. It looks like a have a KMT officers cap - thanks for the help.

regards, Robert

[hc8mm]

The quality of it is not like the Germans. China did not have big industries like Germany did. Many uniforms were made locally and there are perhaps hundreds of variations.

All soldiers wore these hats.

Very few were dated. It could have been used all the way to the early years when they were on Taiwan (the troops that fled brought whatever they could, until rigid uniform standards were established after).

[aj4012000]

Ha Ha, Hsin! I knew I will saw you here!
Robert, nice cap!

Best Regards
Joe