Original U.S. WWII Army Air Force Officer “Commander” Crusher Cap With Named Mission-Chit ANB-H-1 Headset & Aviator Sunglasses - Size 7 1/8
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Original Item: One-of-a-kind. One of the most iconic pieces of headgear to come out of WWII was the U.S. Crusher Cap, or “Fifty Mission Cap”. This visor cap, in tan issue color, was made by “Air Force Commander”. The sweatband is embossed with ANILINE FINISH and E-Z CUSHION. This peaked cap features a gold tone WWII Army Overseas insignia over a leather visor with the scarce wrap-around chinstrap. The cap still has the original size tag under the celluloid sweatshield, 7⅛.
The outward appearance is worn from honest use, and decades of storage wear. It retains the original iconic "crush" shape. The cap was certainly used and is a bit misshapen from long storage, and the celluloid cover inside is mostly dark now. However, with some effort and form fitting it will come back to form. There are some small holes around the cap shown.
The ANB-H-1 headset is in great service-worn shape, and is inscribed on the leather headband cover with 24 Xs, denoting 24 missions flown, with the name C.R. REIN and the serial number 381808 with a symbol at the start and end, so we aren’t sure what the full number is meant to be.
The included aviator sunglasses are in good shape and are the same type we often see associated with aviators with the white-tone middle bar and nose-pads. They really tie the entire set together. A great research project, ready for further research and display!
This is the classic "bomber pilot" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army/AAF officer dress cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike, but pilots gave this cap their own unique twist. Normally, this cap had stiffeners -- a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape. These kept the cap in its proper, regulation military shape and angle. However, since bomber pilots wore headsets over their caps during flights, they would remove the wire stiffener to make headset wear more comfortable, causing the sides of the caps to become crushed. Eventually, the caps retained their floppy "crushed" look, giving the pilot who wore it the look of a seasoned veteran.
The crusher cap identified its wearer as an experienced pilot, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crusher cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers as well. Don’t miss out on this great example with an original headset & sunglasses.
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