Original Item: Only One Available. 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 winter OD green issue color, was made by Bancroft, which is well marked in the crown and sweatband. The cap is roughly size 6⅞. The outward appearance is worn and faded from honest use, and decades of storage wear. It retains the original iconic "crush" shape. The sweatband is embossed in gold “FLIGHTER by BANCROFT" with “Curve Control” and “Visor Pat. Pend.” which indicates this as wartime manufacture! In addition, the Bancroft label is visible underneath the now stiffened weatherproof lining in the crown.

This is a great example of a “True Crusher”, identifiable by the wrap-around chinstrap that covers the entire circumference of the cap. A cap made to be a crusher has a thin single layer leather visor (Bancroft Flighter being one of the most famous) and a body that was flexible so they could be stuffed into a pocket.

The visor retains its original sweatband, with a very faint name written near the Flighter logo, C. WILE or something similar, a good research project. This example also has the scarce “wraparound” chinstrap used by men of the AAF.

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.

This is a fantastic crusher cap with some research potential. Comes ready for further research and display.