WWII Khaki Officer Crusher Cap by Society Brand

[RayR]

It was on this forum that I first heard of Society Brand so I hope this is the correct place for this review.

I am thrilled at the quality and price of my new Crusher Cap by Society Brand. http://wwiiflightwear.com/wwii/headwear/crusher-caps/
And I do not mean quality for the price...because these are comparatively the lowest price Hand Made repro I have found (Not counting the things like $89 caps made overseas and not at all accurate)
The quality of materials and design is dean-on and exactly what I would expect were I an officer in WWII and purchasing a nice cap.

Pictures speak louder than words. I wanted a great khaki color, dark brim, crusher to wear around. I have some great ones: Flighter, another very well made but missing maker identification, and others, but they all have a few moth bites and stains that I don't want to aggravate with wear. Take a look:

Rather than the Flighter visor option, I choose the flexible "regulation" 2-ply visor

And here is a comparison with a WWII version who's maker name is worn out. Different badges and visor shades are apparent

I also choose the color of the braid. Here is one more look at the inside with silk lining:

I was told to expect about 6 weeks wait. Glad to say it actually came in about 5, with great communication and service.

 

[Jim Flynn]

It's a beauty! I really do fancy one of those.

 

[DavidJones]

Very nice. I especially like the one with the brown bill.

 

[Zemke Fan]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... Just contacted the proprietor about making me a 1940s TWA cap to go along with my vintage cap badge!

 

[bkarma]

Thank you for the detailed review, makes me want to get one now.

 

[scotrace]

Excellent cap.

 

[Zemke Fan]

Not a WWII crusher... BUT, a WWII-era TWA pilot's cap in summer weight/color from Society Brand. Thanks, Pete!!













Society Brand Hat Company Website: wwiiflightwear.com

Can't WAIT to see it! (All original buttons and cap badge supplied by me. Chinstrap is NOS 1930s US Navy.)

 

[Ponsenby]

They look nice- I have an original crushed SD cap with that darker shade brim and strap and the repro looks identical!

 

[scottyrocks]

Ray, I have begun the process of trying to choose what I want in a Society crusher cap.

For me, too many choices is not a good thing, as I sometimes have trouble making decisions.

I have a few questions.

Regarding the bill, ideally, I would like to be able to sample, in my hands, both the single and double layer bills. Seeing as I most likely will not be able to do that, can you describe the differences in appearance, feel, if any, and the stiffness and shape-ability of the two bills? Does the double layer conform to your head properly? Does it look and/or feel too stiff? Does the single layer look sloppy or does it hold its shape?

 

[RayR]

I have not samples airsoft single-layer version bill. The one I had is double layer and it was from my experience with authentic apps, semi soft and confirmed to the head comfortably. It was very authentic to the originals. I can only assume the single layer is very flexible and folds in half like the originals. But like I said I haven't had one of theirs to be sure. Wish I could help more

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[scottyrocks]

Thanks to your thread(s), Ray, and my communications with Pete, I have made a decision on exactly what I want, and am now in the process of ordering a crusher cap.

The specs of mine will have to wait to be posted here until I order or receive it. I'm psyched!

 

[RayR]

I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the excellent craftsmanship. Please do remember to post some pics

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Ozarkian]

It was on this forum that I first heard of Society Brand so I hope this is the correct place for this review.

I am thrilled at the quality and price of my new Crusher Cap by Society Brand. http://wwiiflightwear.com/wwii/headwear/crusher-caps/
And I do not mean quality for the price...because these are comparatively the lowest price Hand Made repro I have found (Not counting the things like $89 caps made overseas and not at all accurate)
The quality of materials and design is dean-on and exactly what I would expect were I an officer in WWII and purchasing a nice cap.

Pictures speak louder than words. I wanted a great khaki color, dark brim, crusher to wear around. I have some great ones: Flighter, another very well made but missing maker identification, and others, but they all have a few moth bites and stains that I don't want to aggravate with wear. Take a look:

Rather than the Flighter visor option, I choose the flexible "regulation" 2-ply visor

And here is a comparison with a WWII version who's maker name is worn out. Different badges and visor shades are apparent

I also choose the color of the braid. Here is one more look at the inside with silk lining:

I was told to expect about 6 weeks wait. Glad to say it actually came in about 5, with great communication and service.

Now you just need one of these and you'll be set!

 

[Blackjack]

I keep getting Page Not Found??? They still in business???????

 

[scottyrocks]

The last time I looked, the site was down for maintenance and will reopen after the holidays.

 

[scottyrocks]

I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the excellent craftsmanship. Please do remember to post some pics

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

I sure will.

 

[Jayessgee]

I still have my Dad's hat. Got a picture of him in it somewhere. Have to dig it up. He was in the CBI, 1943-45.
Now myself, I had one of those too but, it was green. We called them saucer hats or "bus driver" hats and the stiffeners were never removed. I was one of the last soldiers to wear one in fact. For what ever reason, I held onto mine and delighted in lousing up the unit's uniformity. Regulations called for the round hat to be worn for class A formations over the "overseas cap." (I will NOT repeat what we called those!) Everybody else got rid of there's when they were discontinued but the regs did not call for their DISuse until a certain date. I remember My first shirt showing me the memo and saying "Now get rid of that d---ed thing!" Lol.
Back to Dad's hat, I'll have to dig it out and photograph it. Still has the rain cover for it. I doubt you'll see many of THOSE items around.

 

[societybrandhatco]

Blackjack, I took a break during the holidays. You can view our website again.

 

[bkarma]

nice ! thanks for the info.

 

[scottyrocks]

My cap arrived a couple of days ago. Short story is I'm thrilled with it.

Quality is astounding, and although I wasn't alive back when these caps were used in-service, I am sure that this cap is virtually indistinguishable from what was custom made by Bancroft and other companies.

This thing is beautiful. I can barely work up the desire to remove it from my head.

I have found that it is just a tad too big for me, so I applied some surgical tape, which is not very sticky, and easily removable without damaging the leather sweat. It sits a little better on my head now.