US Headgear Main Page

U.S. WWII EM Garrison Caps
From 1939 onward, the standard issue US Army soft cap was the garrison cap. Also known as "overseas", "pisscutter", or one other nickname that I'll actually refrain from printing here. They were made from the same wool serge fabric as the Service Coats and wool trousers. Although there were variations in the lining styles, the pattern was consistent throughout W.W.II.

Issue Caps vs. Private Purchase (PX): WWII Garrison caps are seen in two styles. The actual cap issued by the army has a tapered top- the front and rear are lower than the center. Then there is a rectangular cap, which is, well, rectangular. Some less informed sources have anointed the latter cut as "airborne". More Hollywood fan club nonsense. These were not reserved strictly for paratroopers .

Comparison of Issue and PX Caps

These were sold at the PX (post exchange) and by uniform shops and tailors. Shops that dealt in men's clothing and shoes offered numerous military quality uniforms and accessories to all the services. It's a bit spiffier looking then the issue pattern. I have examined several caps from groupings of WWII veterans, that were "rectangular" in cut; they were all obviously tailor made. It's difficult to find any two that are identical- one cap from an 82nd vet had lining made from camouflage parachute silk. They had no spec labels and they were sewn with standard single needle machines. The issue caps use double needle machines and sergers.

After the War, (around 1948) or the Army changed the issue cap to the rectangular pattern which has been used until the mass issue of berets in the 21st century. I have looked at hundreds of caps and have yet to see a rectangular cap with a spec label dated prior to 1948. Thus, US soldiers (including paratroopers) would have been issued a standard garrison cap. However, on their own accord, some apparently went to the local tailor or PX and purchased a sexier cap.
Which cap is correct for my impression??? Either of them. Your choice.

ATF Reproductions: Identical to the original. The wool serge and cotton twill lining fabrics were color matched to unissued WWII samples. They are dead on. Patterns were made from authentic caps. Piping was matched to a roll of 1942 dated infantry piping. Both patterns were copied from original.

Branch of Service Piping: Once a soldier was assigned to a unit, colored trim was usually sewn around the lip of the cap fold. (A few soldier's did not get this done for one reason or another.)
All caps are stocked without piping- then we sew on your choice of piping.
Currently, we stock piping for the following branches:
Infantry (includes paratroopers)- blue
Artillery-red
Armor-green/white
Cavalry-yellow
Tank Destroyer-black/orange
Air Corps-yellow/blue
1st Special Service Force- red/white/blue
Officer- black/gold
We do NOT have ability currently to get "custom piping" made. It's not a matter of taking white piping and coloring it with a magic marker. One has to order 2,000 yards of any one color. Some of this we had made, and some we were able to acquire elsewhere. The demand for medical, MP, quartermaster, signal corps etc, is not great enough to make it economical to buy 2,000 yards of those colors. For those of you who take this as some sort of affront to the honor of you and your ancestors, please get a life. We're one of the only companies that offer anything besides blue. We're lucky to have this much. If and when (more like if) we find other colors, I will not hesitate to list them. Thank you.

Summer Caps: There was a khaki cotton garrison cap for wear with the summer uniforms. We have no plans to make any.

Officer Caps:
Yes, we now have a little of the black/ gold piping for officer caps. However, we DO NOT have any caps in "chocolate" material. These are only the same od caps as the EM. Yes, officers wore this type of cap for field use.
What did Paratrooper Officer's Wear?
Caps with black/ gold piping. Regardless of branch of service, officer's wore black/ gold piping. Their branch was indicated by insignia on their shirt or jacket rather than the cap. Sad another way, an officer in the airborne infantry, like 506th Easy Co., would wear black/gold trim, not blue. OK?

---

 

Please Specify which style of cap and which branch of service piping you want. If you do not, we will default to the Issue Cap with Infantry piping. Thanks!

Infantry Spec Labels WWII Issue EM Garrison Cap As issued with the service uniform to all troops of the Army and Air Corps. Please specify which branch of service piping you want! We currently stock piping for the following branches: Infantry (includes paratroopers), artillery, armor, cavalry, tank destroyer, Air Corps, 1st Special Service Force & Officer. Note: We have caps with infantry piping in stock. Other colors may require 1-3 days for us to sew the piping on. $25.00 add cap patch +$10 (includes patch & sewing) Issue Garrison Caps Availability Please specify which branch of service piping you want. If you fail to do so, we will send a cap with infantry piping. Size Stock 7" In Stock 7-1/4" In Stock 7-1/2" In Stock 7-3/4" In Stock We do NOT make sizes 7 1/8, 7 3/8, or 7 5/8. Simply order the next size up. It will work.

PX Garrison Caps Reproduction of the "Tailor-made", rectangular caps, purchased by many troops for a sharper appearance. Correct for any branch, not just bands of brothers. PX caps have no spec labels because they were not a government contract item. Please specify which branch of service piping you want! If you fail to do so, we will send your cap with infantry piping. We currently stock piping for the following branches: Infantry (includes paratroopers), artillery, armor, cavalry, tank destroyer, Air Corps,1st Special Service Force and Officer. We have caps with infantry piping in stock. Colors other than infantry may require 1-3 days for us to sew the piping on. $25.00 add cap patch +$10 (includes patch & sewing) PX Garrison Caps Availability Please specify which branch of service piping you want. If you fail to do so, we will send a cap with infantry piping. Size Airborne 7" In Stock 7-1/4" In Stock 7-1/2" In Stock 7-3/4" In Stock We do NOT make sizes 7 1/8, 7 3/8, or 7 5/8. Simply order the next size up. It will work.