Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. WWII U.S. Military items made by the firm of Morry Luxenberg of New York, New York are perhaps one of the most desirable makers of U.S. WWII Uniforms and Insignia. Luxenberg items were revered during the period for their absolute astounding quality and attention to detail. Luxembourg’s customers included many General officers of all branches who preferred the quality items the Luxenberg firm produced during the war. This visor cap, in winter green doeskin/melton wool, was manufactured by Luxenberg Military Tailors located at 485 Madison Avenue, New York.
The sweatband is also embossed with the Luxenberg address. The crown of the hat also bears the Luxenberg logo. There is still a size label present stating the size is 7 ¼. The condition is quite nice and still retains the back adjustment strap which is often missing.
The interior of the leather sweatband has the rank and name for W.W. Seller, Major Wilbur Western Seller Jr. Major Seller served with the 401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group (Heavy) of the 8th Army Air Force. He served on two different B-17 Flying Fortresses during the war; “Qualified Quail” and “Ragged But Right”. The Qualified Quail crash landed in France near Valenciennes on 14 January 1945. The picture in the photo section was taken on 15 January 1945. He remained in the USAF post war, flying both jet bombers and latterly jet fighters and joined the AF Flight Test Center. He was unfortunately killed in a flying accident in F-94B Starfire 51-5324 during wingtip fuel tank tests.
The 91st Bomb Group (Heavy) was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. Classified as a heavy bombardment group, the 91st operated B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and was known unofficially as "The Ragged Irregulars" or as "Wray's Ragged Irregulars", after the commander who took the group to England. During its service in World War II the unit consisted of the 322nd, 323rd, 324th, and 401st Bomb Squadrons. The 91st Bomb Group is most noted as the unit in which the bomber Memphis Belle flew, and for having suffered the greatest number of losses of any heavy bomb group in World War II.
This is the classic "bomber pilot" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army/AAF officer's 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 crush cap identified its wearer as an experienced pro, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crush cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers such as the case with this example.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
